Tahiti swiftlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tahiti swiftlet |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Apodidae |
| Genus: | Aerodramus |
| Species: |
A. leucophaeus
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| Binomial name | |
| Aerodramus leucophaeus (Peale, 1849)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Tahiti swiftlet, also known as the Polynesian swiftlet (Aerodramus leucophaeus), is a small bird. It belongs to the swift family, called Apodidae. This swiftlet often has a paler face compared to the Marquesan swiftlet. It is a "monotypic" species, which means it does not have any different subspecies or types within it.
This bird lives only in the Society Islands in French Polynesia. You can find it on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea. When an animal or plant lives only in one specific place, it is called "endemic" to that area.
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What Does the Tahiti Swiftlet Look Like?
The Tahiti swiftlet is about 11 cm long. It has slightly short wings and a tail that looks like a fork. Its upper body is dark brown, and its belly is grey-brown. Birds that live closer to the equator often have shorter wings. This is because their short wings are not made for flying very long distances. So, these swiftlets tend to stay in smaller areas for most of their lives.
How Does the Tahiti Swiftlet Communicate?
These swiftlets make a dry, trilling sound. It can sound a bit like insects. Birds can hear sounds at a much faster frequency than humans. This helps them understand each other's calls.
Does the Tahiti Swiftlet Use Echolocation?
Yes, the Tahiti swiftlet can use a type of echolocation. Echolocation is like using sound to "see" in the dark. It helps the birds find their way around. Their echolocation uses lower sounds than what bats use. This means humans can sometimes hear it. Swiftlets use this ability to navigate dark caves. It helps them find safe places to build their nests.
Where Do Tahiti Swiftlets Live and What Do They Eat?
The Tahiti swiftlet eats insects. It catches them while flying high in the sky. These birds like wet, rocky, and forested valleys that are high up. They build their nests in different places. Some nests are in shallow dips under rocks or on coastal cliffs. Others are inside caves. Scientists have found populations of these birds on the Polynesian island of Moorea.
Tahiti Swiftlet Nests
Their nests are made from plant material. The swiftlets use their own saliva to hold the nest together. Nests have also been found in the Marquesas Islands. The Marquesas are volcanic islands, also part of French Polynesia.
Climate of the Society Islands
The Society Islands have a hot and humid climate from November to April. The rest of the year, it is cooler and drier. The island of Moorea has sharp, jagged peaks. It also has a large mountain range made from old volcanoes.
Is the Tahiti Swiftlet in Danger?
The Tahiti swiftlet is not currently in danger globally. It is classified as "vulnerable," but its population is stable. This means it needs some protection, but it is not rapidly decreasing. One reason they are vulnerable is because predators sometimes eat their eggs. These swiftlets usually lay two eggs at a time.
This species is still quite rare. It lives in only a few valleys. Because of this, protecting them is a high priority. They are often seen flying in groups, sometimes with up to 100 birds. In 1984, there were an estimated 200 to 500 birds. Today, there are still thought to be fewer than 1000 individual birds. The largest group, about 100 birds, lives in the Papehue Valley.
 | Calvin Brent |
 | Walter T. Bailey |
 | Martha Cassell Thompson |
 | Alberta Jeannette Cassell |
