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

Taxonomic Notes:

Gender agreement of species name follows David and Gosselin (2002a).

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:

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 very 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:

2008	–	Vulnerable
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 1971-1974 (Holyoak and Thibault 1984), and in six valleys (out of 39 visited) during the period 1986-1991 (Monnet et al. 1993), apparently never having been abundant in the 20th century (Holyoak and Thibault 1984). Indeed, in 1923, it was noted that two local hunters travelled for eight days through the valleys without seeing this species (Beck 1923). In 1997, a new breeding site, with c.30 nests, was found (P. Raust in litt. 1999, C. Blainvillain verbally 2000). A population of c.100 birds is monitored regularly in Papehue valley and appears to be stable (P. Raust in litt. 2007). The global population is estimated to be below 1,000 birds and stable. It was formerly encountered on Huahine and (possibly) Bora Bora, while records from Moorea in 1973 may have referred to vagrants from Tahiti (Holyoak and Thibault 1984, Monnet et al. 1993, P. Raust in litt. 1999, 2012).
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population size is estimated to be below 1,000 birds based on analyses of available records. It is placed in the band 250-999 mature individuals, equating to 375-1,499 individuals in total, rounded here to 350-1,500 individuals.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It prefers wet, rocky and forested valleys at high elevations (Pratt et al. 1987). It nests either in shallow depressions under overhanging rocks and coastal cliffs, or caves (Pratt et al. 1987, Chantler and Driessens 1995).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Its rarity is possibly linked to the introduction of the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis (Holyoak and Thibault 1984) (which is known to defend territories, tree hollows and other nesting sites from native birds) and Swamp Harrier Circus approximans (C. Blainvillain verbally 2000). 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 tristis (Holyoak and Thibault 1984) (which is known to defend territories, tree hollows and other nesting sites from native birds) and Swamp Harrier Circus approximans (C. Blainvillain verbally 2000). Other introduced species may have a negative impact on Tahiti Swiftlet.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway The population at Papehue valley is monitored regularly. Conservation Actions Proposed Protect the known breeding sites (P. Raust in litt. 1999). 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 is monitored regularly.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Protect the known breeding sites (P. Raust in litt. 1999). Survey for other breeding sites. Continue and expand monitoring of known populations. Identify nest predators and take protective measures as necessary.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Collocalia leucophaea. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2013.
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