Day 2 in our Aldabra Christmas Series. (2/4)

DEC 26 2025 · 18:17

Day 2 in our Aldabra Christmas Series. Today’s animal is the Aldabra White-Throated Rail (Dryolimnas [cuvieri] aldabranus). 🐦 They are the last flightless bird in the Indian Ocean, and are only found on Aldabra Atoll! 🌊 It is the only bird known to evolve flightlessness TWICE. It evolved flightlessness on Aldabra, went extinct on the island after it was submerged, and then a new flock recolonized the atoll and re-evolved flightlessness! 🦀 They’ve been spotted attacking large crabs for food. Stay tuned for a new species tomorrow! 📸Image credit: Slide 1&2: provided by Allen Commettant Slide 3: @celinaxchien Slide 4: @evileyelander 🎶Song by @joe_samy_official / @s_chlochlo