Saipan reed warbler explained

The Saipan reed warbler or gå'ga' karisu in Chamorro (Acrocephalus hiwae) is a critically endangered songbird of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Taxonomy

It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the extinct nightingale reed warbler (A. luscinius) by some taxonomists.

Distribution 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.[1] It inhabits wetlands, thickets and the margins of forests.

Description

The Saipan reed warbler is approximately 17cm (07inches) 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.

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.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nightingale Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus luscinia) . Rounds . Rachel . Radley . Paul . Web Page of Pacific Bird Conservation, Hawaii . 21 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150921211407/http://www.pacificbirdconservation.org/nightingale-reed-warbler.html . 21 September 2015.
  2. Saipan Reed-warbler . 11 December 2020.