Alternative names: Henderson Warbler; Henderson Island Warbler; Henderson Sparrow; Henderson Island Sparrow
- Acrocephalus taiti
Identification
17 cm (6¾ in). A large warbler with a relatively short bill.
- White head with mottled olive-brown and white crown
- Dark eyestripe
- Olive-brown upperparts
- White feathers on wings scattered variably among darker ones, some birds nearly all white
- White underparts with slight yellowish tinge
- Dark eye
Sexes similar, males normally whiter than females. Juveniles undescribed.
Similar species
Similar to Rimatara Reed Warbler but ranges don't overlap and albinism in Rimatara Reed Warbler usually affects anterior not posterior parts of body.
Distribution
Henderson Island (south-western Pitcairn Islands), an uninhabited coral island in the south Pacific Ocean.
Abundant in its very small range. The accidental introduction of alien species like rats to the islands has to be prevented to conserve this species.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Has been treated conspecific with Rimatara Reed Warbler and Pitcairn Reed Warbler.
Habitat
Found in forest which covers the entire islands.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects. Takes also land snails, some seeds and fruit pulp.
Forages in all levels of forest, often in family groups. Takes items from the vegetation and from the ground.
Breeding
Breeding season from late August to early January when suitable food is of high abundance. A territorial, partially co-operative breeder, sometimes breeding in trios. The nest is a bulky, deep cup made of dry leaves, coconut and other plant fibres. Placed 1.7 to 7 m above the ground in the lower canopy of tall forest. Lays 2 to 3 eggs.
Movements
A sedentary species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved December 2014)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Henderson Island Reed Warbler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Henderson_Island_Reed_Warbler
