Saipan Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus hiwae
A relatively large plain brown reed warbler with a pale throat, a yellowish face, a darker cap and tail, and an absurdly long decurved bill. Found in areas of tall dense grasses, reed marshes, and scrubby thickets up to 400 meters of elevation. Song is a slow, loud reel of whistles, warbles, harsh “chak” notes, and trills. Call is a loud, offensive “tchak.” Often sings at night.
Identification
The Saipan reed warbler is approximately 17 cm (6.7 in) long, and is greyish olive-brown above with a pale-yellow underside. The female is slightly smaller than the male. Both sexes have a long bill compared to other reed warbler species.
Taxonomy
It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the extinct nightingale reed warbler (A. luscinius) by some taxonomists.
- Scientific name
- Acrocephalus hiwae
- Authority
- (Yamashina, 1942)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acrocephalidae
- Genus
- Acrocephalus
Range and habitat
It occurs on two islands: Saipan and Alamagan. An estimated population of 2700 birds was reported in 2009 on Saipan, and on Alamagan 950 birds were reported in 2010. It inhabits wetlands, thickets and the margins of forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
Threats to the survival of the Saipan reed warbler include habitat destruction resulting from urban development and agriculture, the introduction of invasive species, and volcanic eruptions.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Brown Accentor
Prunella fulvescens
A relatively plain bird of open areas with scattered thickets in alpine and subalpine regions. Well-marked but not striking: gray-brown above with a dark face, a snowy white eyebrow and belly, and a soft orange wash on the throat and breast. Usually seen foraging on the ground, but male often perches on top of a small tree or a building to give his song: a repetitive, but somewhat musical trill.
Satyr Tragopan
Tragopan satyra
A large pheasant-like bird. Male has a black face with dark blue cheeks and chin, and a grayish-brown back and uppertail. It has white speckling all over, but the male Satyr Tragopan is the only tragopan to have white dots on the red breast. Female is similar in shape, but all brown with thin white streaks on the back and reddish-brown wings. Found in dense forests, where it forages on the forest floor. The call is a nasal, wailing “gwaaahh.”
Orange-banded Thrush
Geokichla peronii
An unmistakable thrush with a “tiger-striped” face pattern, a white throat, a broad orange chest band, orange flanks, a white belly, and extensive bold white wing markings. Juveniles show rusty wing spots, pale streaking, a black and buff breast band, and black flank spots. Forages singly or in pairs on the ground and in trees, in forests and wooded patches within lowlands and hills. Confined to the eastern Lesser Sundas. Gives a rich, musical song characteristic of thrushes, with sequences of fluty upslurred and downslurred whistled notes comprising repeated phrases mixed with softer, chuckling sounds and thin, high-pitched notes.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.