Eiao reed warbler
| Eiao reed warbler | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Acrocephalus percernis aquilonis | ||||||||||||
| ( Murphy & Mathews , 1928) |
The Eiao reed warbler ( Acrocephalus percernis aquilonis , Syn . : Acrocephalus mendanae aquilonis , Acrocephalus caffer aquilonis ) is an endangered subspecies of the Nuku-Hiva reed warbler . ( Acrocephalus percernis ). Originally it was regarded as a subspecies of the long-beaked reed warbler ( Acrocephalus caffer ), then it was initially considered a subspecies of the Marquesas reed warbler ( Acrocephalus mendanae ) until it was split into two species and the Eiao reed warbler was assigned as a subspecies to the Nuku-Hiva reed warbler . It is endemic to Eiao Island in the Marquesas .
features
The Eiao reed warbler reaches a size of 18 centimeters. In the males, the wing length is 91 to 96 millimeters, the tail length 77.5 to 84 millimeters, the beak length 14.4 to 16 millimeters, and the barrel is 30.5 to 31.3 millimeters long. In the females, the wing length measures 87.5 to 98 millimeters, the tail length 74 to 83 millimeters, the beak length 15 to 16.2 millimeters, and the barrel is 29 to 31.2 millimeters long. The plumage shows a general yellow color, the Eiao reed warbler resembles both the long-billed reed warbler and the Nuku-Hiva reed warbler ( Acrocephalus mendanae percernis ). However, the yellow in its plumage is less intense than that of its relatives. The back is greenish yellow. The belly is light yellow. The iris is olive brown, the beak is horn-colored on the upper side and flesh-colored on the lower bill. Legs and feet are slate gray.
habitat
The Eiao reed warbler is a resident of dry lowland forests on the island of Eiao.
status
When it was discovered in 1922, the Eiao reed warbler was still considered common. Due to overgrazing by wild goats, sheep and pigs, the island's vegetation was severely devastated. Where once there were forests, all that remained was a desert-like landscape of orange clay. Tropical cyclones represent a further threat. In 1968 the Eiao reed warbler was already severely decimated and in 1987 a population of 100 to 200 specimens was counted. The Eiao reed warbler was photographed for the first time in 2010.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Birds collected during the Whitney South Sea Expedition (PDF file; 1.78 MB)
Web links
- Birds collected during the Whitney South Sea Expedition (PDF file; 1.78 MB)
- Department of the Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service - 50 CFR Part 17 -Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions for Foreign Species; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule ( Memento from September 26, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF file; 237 kB)