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
Saipan reed warbler (Acrocephalus hiwae)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Acrocephalidae
Genus: Acrocephalus
Species:
A. hiwae
Binomial name
Acrocephalus hiwae
(Yamashina, 1942)

Taxonomy

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It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the extinct nightingale reed warbler (A. luscinius) by some taxonomists.

Distribution and habitat

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Saipan Reed-warbler". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 11 December 2020.