Collocalia sawtelli

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	APODIFORMES	APODIDAE

Scientific Name:

Collocalia sawtelli

Species Authority:

Holyoak, 1974

Common Name/s:

English

–

Aitu Swiftlet, Atiu Swiftlet, Sawtell's Swiftlet

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D1+2 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

McCormack, G. & Pilgrim, J.

Justification:
This species qualifies as Vulnerable because it has a small population on one island and is confined, when breeding, to just two caves, and hence is susceptible to stochastic events and human activities. If the population were shown to be in decline it may warrant uplisting to a higher threat category.

History:

2008	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Collocalia sawtelli is restricted to Atiu, Cook Islands, although there is a possible early historic record from Mitiaro (Steadman 1989) and an unconfirmed report of swiftlet bones found on Mangaia (J. Pilgrim in litt. 2002). When it was collected in 1973 from the Anatakitaki Cave there were c.60 nests and the local inhabitants reported that there were a few smaller colonies elsewhere on the island (Holyoak 1974). In 1987-1988, a detailed survey recorded 190 active nests in two caves (Tarburton 1990). In 1994 and 1995, further surveys were conducted and, although the numbers of active nests in each cave varied from year to year, the totals were stable at 172 and 175 (McCormack 1997).
Countries:	Native: Cook Islands
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	McCormack (1997)
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The species favours forests, fernlands, agriculturally developed areas such as croplands, and mixed horticultural areas, but avoids the dry, uparised coral ring (makatea) of Atiu (Fullard et al. 2010). Birds are most often seen foraging 3-5 m above the ground although occasionally descend to the edges of trees or bushes (Fullard et al. 2010). The species nests colonially in caves in makatea limestone (Pratt et al. 1987).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

The species favours forests, fernlands, agriculturally developed areas such as croplands, and mixed horticultural areas, but avoids the dry, uparised coral ring (makatea) of Atiu (Fullard et al. 2010). Birds are most often seen foraging 3-5 m above the ground although occasionally descend to the edges of trees or bushes (Fullard et al. 2010). The species nests colonially in caves in makatea limestone (Pratt et al. 1987).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The major causes of chick mortality have been identified as starvation after falling out of the nest and predation by coconut crab Birgus latro and land crab Cardisoma longipes (Tarburton 1990). The fledging period is prolonged, perhaps because of lack of food. One of the caves has become a popular ecotourism destination (McCormack 1997) and thus disturbance could be a problem, as there do not appear to be any restrictions on noise and the use of torches (J. Pilgrim in litt. 2002). Polynesian rats Rattus exulans are present on the island and may be a threat (J. Pilgrim in litt. 2002).

Major Threat(s):

The major causes of chick mortality have been identified as starvation after falling out of the nest and predation by coconut crab Birgus latro and land crab Cardisoma longipes (Tarburton 1990). The fledging period is prolonged, perhaps because of lack of food. One of the caves has become a popular ecotourism destination (McCormack 1997) and thus disturbance could be a problem, as there do not appear to be any restrictions on noise and the use of torches (J. Pilgrim in litt. 2002). Polynesian rats Rattus exulans are present on the island and may be a threat (J. Pilgrim in litt. 2002).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Surveys have been conducted and a standardised method for monitoring has been designed (McCormack 1997). Baiting to prevent the arrival of rats is underway by the airport and dock (J. Pilgrim in litt. 2002), and a new programme based on increased community vigilance, reporting any rat or sign of rats in cargo, and a response with traps and toxic bait has been initiated (G. McCormack in litt. 2007). Conservation Actions Proposed Resurvey the population including a detailed study of the breeding biology over a full season so that further actions can be identified/justified (SPREP 1999). Exclude crabs from breeding caves (SPREP 1999). Investigate the possibility of translocation to another suitable island (SPREP 1999). Monitor and regulate tourism. Control Polynesian Rats Rattus exulans close to breeding caves. Take measures to ensure that alien species, especially black rat Rattus rattus, are not accidentally introduced to the island.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Surveys have been conducted and a standardised method for monitoring has been designed (McCormack 1997). Baiting to prevent the arrival of rats is underway by the airport and dock (J. Pilgrim in litt. 2002), and a new programme based on increased community vigilance, reporting any rat or sign of rats in cargo, and a response with traps and toxic bait has been initiated (G. McCormack in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Resurvey the population including a detailed study of the breeding biology over a full season so that further actions can be identified/justified (SPREP 1999). Exclude crabs from breeding caves (SPREP 1999). Investigate the possibility of translocation to another suitable island (SPREP 1999). Monitor and regulate tourism. Control Polynesian Rats Rattus exulans close to breeding caves. Take measures to ensure that alien species, especially black rat Rattus rattus, are not accidentally introduced to the island.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Collocalia sawtelli. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 May 2013.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided