Socotra sailor
| Socotra sailor | ||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Apus berliozi | ||||||||||
| Ripley , 1965 |
The Socotra Swift ( Apus berliozi ) is a species of bird from the sailor family . It occurs in two races on Socotra and Somalia .
features
The Socotra sailor has a length of 16 centimeters. The male reaches a weight of 37.5 grams, the female a weight of 40 grams. The plumage is a solid brown apart from a large white throat patch. With regard to the plumage, forehead and rein coloration, it is similar to the pale swift . However, it is darker with a less noticeable saddle and a greasy sheen on the wings of the hand, the wings of the arm and the middle upper wing coverts. The breed A. b. bensoni is darker and brownish than the nominate form of Socotra. In addition, the throat spot is more rounded, the underside is less marked and the forehead is darker.
habitat
The Socotra sailor often inhabits dry landscapes. On Socotra it can be found in different habitats, which also include urban areas. In the mountains it occurs at altitudes of 700 to 1200 m. It breeds on coasts, preferentially in caves and on cliffs. He can be seen looking for food on solid sand dunes. In his wintering area in Kenya you can see him over lowland coastal forests.
distribution
The breed A. b. berliozi breeds in the Haijhir Mountains on Socotra . The breed A. b. bensoni breeds near Hal Hambo , Somalia and winters in Kenya , especially in Arabuko-Sokoke and in the Gede forests south of the Diani, Gazi and Shimba Hills.
Way of life
In Somalia the breeding season is from March to September, in Socotra in mid-May. The Socotra Swift breeds in colonies. The bowl-shaped nest is built on the ceilings of caves. It has a width of 110 to 130 mm and a depth of 30 to 30 mm. It is padded with dry seaweed. The clutch consists of two eggs. The Socotra Swift can be observed in flocks between 10 and 200 individuals. Its diet consists of beetles, ants, grasshoppers and termites.
status
The Socotra sailor is common and not endangered. In its restricted distribution area on Socotra, 300 specimens were counted in 1993.
literature
- J. Del Hoyo, A. Elliot, J. Sargatal (Eds.): Handbook of the Birds of the World . Volume 5: Barn-Owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx Edicions, 1999, ISBN 84-87334-25-3
Web link
- Apus berliozi inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2013.