New Caledonian snipe
{{Short description|Extinct species of bird}}
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| fossil_range = {{fossilrange|Holocene}}
| taxon = Coenocorypha neocaledonica
| authority = Worthy, Anderson & Sand, 2013
| synonyms =
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The New Caledonian snipe (Coenocorypha neocaledonica) is an extinct species of austral snipe, described from late Holocene cave deposits on the French island of New Caledonia in the western Pacific Ocean. The specific epithet is a latinisation of the name of its island home.{{cite journal |author1=Worthy, Trevor H. |last2=Anderson |first2=Atholl |author2-link=Atholl Anderson |author3=Sand, Christophe |name-list-style=amp |year=2013 |title= An extinct Austral snipe (Aves : Coenocorypha) from New Caledonia|journal= Emu |volume=113 |issue=4 |pages=383–393 |doi=10.1071/MU13019 |bibcode=2013EmuAO.113..383W |s2cid=85169982 }}
Description
Although austral snipe are small birds, the endemic New Caledonian form was larger than all its congeners, with the exception of the Viti Levu snipe (C. miratropica). Examination of its wing bones suggest that it was a relatively strong flier.
Extinction
The species became extinct within about 1000 years of human settlement of the island, probably as a result of predation by human introduced rats.
References
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Category:Fossil taxa described in 2013
Category:Birds described in 2013
Category:Extinct birds of New Caledonia
Category:Taxa named by Trevor H. Worthy
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