The book begins with the discovery and ecology of Lord Howe Island. It then details the history of the Woodhen, its place among the rails and their evolution of flightlessness, the planning, implementation and trials, tribulations and successes of the captive breeding programme and the way in which the wild population recovered. The ecology, behaviour and breeding biology of this unique flightless island rail are also discussed. The text is accompanied by numerous photographs and drawings.

This is a story of survival, yet the bird remains highly endangered as it is under constant potential threat, which could tip it over the brink and to extinction. The Woodhen provides gripping insights into the potential for both losing and saving vertebrate species.

• A comprehensive account of the demise and subsequent saving of a globally significant, large, flightless, iconic bird species
• Its demise to near-extinction parallels that of the globally familiar extinct Dodo and a number of other widely familiar extinct species
• Provides gripping insights into the potential for both losing and saving vertebrate species