Photo: Peterloeff / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Atiu Swiftlet
Aerodramus sawtelli
Atiu Swiftlet (Aerodramus sawtelli) — Swifts of Oceans & Seabirds.
The Atiu Swiftlet (Aerodramus sawtelli) is a member of the Apodidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 8.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Apodidae Swifts
- Genus Aerodramus
- Species sawtelli
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Apodidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Atiu Swiftlet is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Atiu Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Atiu Swiftlet (Aerodramus sawtelli) is a member of the Apodidae family, within the order Apodiformes. It is found across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO Atiu (se Cook Is., se Polynesia).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.6 g, with a wing length of about 11.6 cm and a tail of around 5.4 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 27 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Atiu Swiftlet?
The Atiu Swiftlet is a very small bird that weighs around 8.6 g.
Where does the Atiu Swiftlet live?
The Atiu Swiftlet is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO Atiu (se Cook Is., se Polynesia), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Atiu Swiftlet belong to?
The Atiu Swiftlet (Aerodramus sawtelli) belongs to the Apodidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Atiu Swiftlet eat?
The Atiu Swiftlet is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Atiu Swiftlet migrate?
The Atiu Swiftlet is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Atiu Swiftlet endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Atiu Swiftlet make?
1 real field recording of the Atiu Swiftlet — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Atiu Swiftlet's range?
The Atiu Swiftlet has a mapped global range of about 27 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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