Alternative names: Cook Swiftlet, Cook Islands Swiftlet, Sawtell's Swiftlet
- Aerodramus sawtelli
Identification
10cm a small Swiftlet.
- Black-brown upperparts with pale grey rump
- Pale grey-brown underparts, darkest on undertail-coverts
- Relatively long, forked tail
Similar Species
Very similar to Tahiti Swiftlet and Marquesan Swiftlet.
Distribution
Endemic to Atiu Island in the Cook Islands Archipelago in the South Pacific.
Very small population and a very small range make this species vulnerable.
Taxonomy
Like other Aerodramus Swiftles this species is often placed in Collocalia.
Some authors treat this species as conspecific with Tahiti Swiftlet[2] and Marquesan Swiftlet or as forming a superspecies with them. Others believe it may be a subspecies of White-rumped Swift.
Monotypic.[1]
Habitat
Recorded over forest and open areas.
Behaviour
Resident.
Diet
Not much data about food and feeding. Known to forage slowly through the forest canopy.
Breeding
Breeds between September and April in colonies in the Kopeka caves. The nest is bracket or cup-shaped and made of coconut crown fibre, held together with a little saliva. Lays two eggs.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Avibase
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Atiu Swiftlet. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 18 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Atiu_Swiftlet
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
