Chatham Islands bellbird
The Chatham Islands bellbird or kōmako is an extinct species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It was endemic to the Chatham Islands.
Description
In appearance it was very similar to the New Zealand bellbird but was considerably larger. Also the whole of the head and neck was brightly glossed in purplish or steel-blue.Behaviour
The kōmako nested from August to October, usually laying three eggs in a larger nest than those made by mainland bellbirds. Its call was described as "the sweetest-throated of all the Antipodean songsters".Extinction
Cats were identified as the main cause of extinction after they reached Rangatira Island in 1831 and later Mangere Island.It was last observed in 1906 on Little Mangere Island. The population was likely impacted by the introduction of a disease as there was a sudden population decline before the onset of other disturbances such as rats, cats and specimen collectors.