Summary
The Saipan reed warbler or gå'ga' karisu in Chamorro (Acrocephalus hiwae) is a critically endangered songbird of the Northern Mariana Islands.
| Saipan reed warbler | |
|---|---|
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| Saipan reed warbler (Acrocephalus hiwae) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Acrocephalidae |
| Genus: | Acrocephalus |
| Species: | A. hiwae
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| Binomial name | |
| Acrocephalus hiwae (Yamashina, 1942)
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Taxonomy edit
It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the extinct nightingale reed warbler (A. luscinius) by some taxonomists.
Distribution and habitat edit
It occurs on two islands: Saipan and Alamagan. An estimated population of 2700 birds was reported in 2009 on Saipan, and on Alamagan 950 birds were reported in 2010.[1] It inhabits wetlands, thickets and the margins of forests.
Description edit
The Saipan reed warbler is approximately 17 cm (6.7 in) long, and is greyish olive-brown above with a pale-yellow underside. The female is slightly smaller than the male. Both sexes have a long bill compared to other reed warbler species.
Conservation edit
Threats to the survival of the Saipan reed warbler include habitat destruction resulting from urban development and agriculture, the introduction of invasive species, and volcanic eruptions.[2]
References edit
- ^ Rounds, Rachel; Radley, Paul. "Nightingale Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus luscinia)". Web Page of Pacific Bird Conservation, Hawaii. Archived from the original on 21 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "Saipan Reed-warbler". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 11 December 2020.