Collocalia leucophaea

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	APODIFORMES	APODIDAE

Scientific Name:

Collocalia leucophaea

Species Authority:

(Peale, 1848)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Polynesian Swiftlet, Tahiti Swiftlet

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D1+2 ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Blanvillain, C., Raust, P.

Justification:
In 1923, when 12 specimens of this species were collected by the Whitney Expedition, it was suggested that future ornithologists would probably never see this bird. However, a small population does survive in a few valleys on a single island, and the species is consequently listed as Vulnerable. Any indication of a decline would elevate its status.

History:

2006	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Collocalia leucophaea breeds only on Tahiti in the Society Islands, French Polynesia, where it was recorded in five valleys in 1971-1974⁴, and in six valleys (out of 39 visited) during the period 1986-1991⁵, apparently never having been abundant in the 20th century⁴. Indeed, in 1923, it was noted that two local hunters travelled for eight days through the valleys without seeing this species¹. In 1997, a new breeding site, with c.30 nests, was found^2,7, and the population is estimated to be below 1,000 birds and stable. A population of c.100 birds is monitored regularly in Papehue valley and appears to be stable⁹. It was formerly encountered on Huahine and (possibly) Bora Bora, while records from Moorea in 1973 may have referred to vagrants from Tahiti^4,5,8.
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Population estimated to be below 1,000 birds based on analysis of available records.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It prefers wet, rocky and forested valleys at high elevations⁶. It nests either in shallow depressions under overhanging rocks and coastal cliffs, or caves^3,6.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Its rarity is possibly linked to the introduction of the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis⁴ and Swamp Harrier Circus approximans². Other introduced species may have a negative impact on Tahiti Swiftlet.

Major Threat(s):

Its rarity is possibly linked to the introduction of the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis⁴ and Swamp Harrier Circus approximans². Other introduced species may have a negative impact on Tahiti Swiftlet.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway The population at Papehue valley has been monitored regularly. Conservation Actions Proposed Protect the known breeding sites⁷. Survey for other breeding sites. Continue and expand monitoring of known populations. Identify nest predators and take protective measures as necessary.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
The population at Papehue valley has been monitored regularly.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Protect the known breeding sites⁷. Survey for other breeding sites. Continue and expand monitoring of known populations. Identify nest predators and take protective measures as necessary.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Collocalia leucophaea. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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