From Opus

Alternative names: Cook Swiftlet, Cook Islands Swiftlet, Sawtell's Swiftlet

Aerodramus sawtelli

[edit] Identification

10cm a small Swiftlet.

• Black-brown upperparts with pale grey rump
• Pale grey-brown underparts, darkest on undertail-coverts
• Relatively long, forked tail

[edit] Similar Species

Very similar to Tahiti Swiftlet and Marquesan Swiftlet.

[edit] Distribution

Endemic to Atiu Island in the Cook Islands Archipelago in the South Pacific.
Very small population and a very small range make this species vulnerable.

[edit] Taxonomy

Like other Aerodramus Swiftles this species is often placed in Collocalia.
Some authors treat this species as conspecific with Tahiti Swiftlet^[2] and Marquesan Swiftlet or as forming a superspecies with them. Others believe it may be a subspecies of White-rumped Swift.
Monotypic.^[1]

[edit] Habitat

Recorded over forest and open areas.

[edit] Behaviour

Resident.

[edit] Diet

Not much data about food and feeding. Known to forage slowly through the forest canopy.

[edit] Breeding

Breeds between September and April in colonies in the Kopeka caves. The nest is bracket or cup-shaped and made of coconut crown fibre, hold together with little saliva. Lays two eggs.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
2. Avibase

• List of references

[edit] External Links