Tahiti Swiftlet
Aerodramus leucophaeus
A medium-sized swiftlet with a relatively long forked tail. Mostly brown with very slightly paler brown underparts and a more golden-brown rump. Most common over rocky riverine valleys and humid forests. Similar to Atiu Swiftlet but is less contrastingly patterned, overall more uniformly brown, with a paler rump and a proportionally longer tail. Also extremely similar to Marquesan Swiftlet, but appears paler-faced and lacks a pale collar. Call is an insect-like buzzing and trilling.
Identification
Aerodramus leucophaeus is closely related to the species of the A. Sawtelli. Characteristics include slightly short wings, forked tail, dark brown upperparts, and grey brown underparts. Birds' wings typically get shorter the closer they live to the equator, explaining why these swiflets are located closer to the Southern Island region. This is due to the fact that the bird's short wings are not equipped to travel far distances, causing the bird to remain in relatively restricted areas for most of its life. This bird is about 11 cm with a forked tail.<p>They have a dry call with repeated intervals. The call is also heard as insect-like and trilling. The trilling sound is usually associated with high pitched sounds. Birds hear at a much quicker frequency than humans, allowing them to understand this call.<p>It has been reported that this species has some form of echolocation.<p>Bird echolocation is limited to a lower frequency, having poorer resolution than that of echolocation in bats and other animals. This low frequency makes the echolocation audible to humans. Birds such as the swiftlet use echolocation to locate their way around dark caves and nesting locations in order to settle safely.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Aerodramus leucophaeus
- Authority
- (Peale, 1849)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Apodidae
- Genus
- Aerodramus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
Currently this species is not globally threatened. They are classified as vulnerable, but stable. This is due to predation on eggs. It is typical of this species to lay two eggs at a time. Nests of this species are made with vegetable matter and held together by saliva.[citation needed] This species remains rare, surviving in only a few valleys and continue to be a priority to conserve. They are mostly found in flocks, (up to 100).<p>Total population estimate of 200–500 birds in 1984 and currently still thought to number fewer than 1000 individuals of which the most important subpopulation (100 birds) is in Papehue Valley.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Galapagos Petrel
Pterodroma phaeopygia
Endangered seabird that nests only in Galápagos. Outside the breeding season, it disperses over the eastern Pacific and usually stays far from land. Note distinctive black-and-white pattern on underwing, mostly white underparts, and dark upperparts that extend down through its face to sides of neck; no other seabird found in and near Galápagos shares these features. When seen from above, it appears all dark except for some white around the base of the bill. Almost always encountered at sea, since it travels to and from its highland nesting sites only at night.
Vitelline Masked-Weaver
Ploceus vitellinus
A fairly small weaver with a chunky bill. Always shows a red eye and a dark bill. Breeding male is distinctive, with bright yellow overall plumage, a black mask, and a variable chestnut wash on the breast and crown. Females, non-breeding males, and juveniles are much duller, but show streaking on the back and pale underparts. Found in a variety of savanna habitats, often in flocks. Breeding male is similar to several other weavers, but can be separated by the chestnut rather than black crown and the red eye. Plumages other than the breeding male’s can be hard to separate from other weavers, but can be cautiously identified by the reddish eye and overall size and shape. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chek” notes and a sizzling “radio static” song.
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