Atiu swiftlet

Overview

Wikipedia

The Atiu swiftlet or Sawtell's Swiftlet is a species of bird in the swift family, endemic to Atiu in the Cook Islands.

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Distribution

Region

South Pacific (Polynesia)

Typical Environment

Occurs only on Atiu, a raised coral (makatea) island with extensive limestone cave systems used for roosting and nesting. Birds forage over native forest, scrub, gardens, and coastal clearings, often following insect swarms after rain. Nesting colonies are in humid, dark cave chambers where small cup nests are attached to rock with saliva. The species’ extremely restricted range makes it vulnerable to habitat disturbance and introduced predators.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 100 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size10–12 cm

Wing Span24–28 cm

Male Weight0.01 kg

Female Weight0.01 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Also called Sawtell's Swiftlet, this species is confined to the small island of Atiu in the Cook Islands. It nests and roosts in limestone caves and, like several swiftlets, uses simple echolocation clicks to navigate in darkness. The entire global population is concentrated on one island, making it sensitive to disturbance and invasive predators.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

fast, agile flier with rapid, flickering wingbeats

Social Behavior

Forms colonial roosts and nesting groups in caves. Nests are small saliva cups placed on cave walls or ceilings. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season and may reuse traditional cave sites year after year.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Outdoors it gives thin, high-pitched chips and twittering calls while foraging. Inside caves it produces audible double-clicks and rattling notes used for simple echolocation.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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