- Scientific Name: Acrocephalus atyphus (Wetmore, 1919)
- Polynesian Names: Kotiotio (Tuamotu), rokikokiko (Marutea sud)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Acrocephalidae
- Category: Endemic Birds
- Distribution: Tuamotu
Apearance and identification
6 inches. Male and female identical in appearance. The top of the body is yellow or beige brown mottled with grey while the underside is lighter. The eye is crossed by a dark band. The cap is erectile. The upper beak is grey, as the legs.
Videos
Voice
Characteristics
The species is present in many Tuamotu atolls but absent from the Acteon group Puka Puka and Reao. It is no longer present on at Mangareva, Moruroa and Fangataufa.
One to three light blue-green eggs (23 x 16 mm) with dots and brown spots concentrated on the broadest side. Nests probably all year long.
Miki miki bushes (Pemphis acidula), fara (Pandanus tectorius), areas of Timonius polygamus and tohonu (Tournefortia argentea) and coconut groves. The species likes the tou (Cordia subcordata) and miro (Thespesia populnea).
Emits various whistles and repeated “chrou” as Tahiti Reed-warbler (Acrocephalus caffer).
Varied, especially insects. Like all French Polynesian Reed-warblers, it hunts both on the ground and in trees and shrubs, which is unusual for the genus. This reflects an adaptation to island lifestyles where birds tend to occupy several ecological niches rather than specialize and frequent only one type of habitat as is often the case for continental species.
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Location
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The species is present in many Tuamotu atolls but absent from the Acteon group Puka Puka and Reao. It is no longer present on at Mangareva, Moruroa and Fangataufa.
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Breeding
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One to three light blue-green eggs (23 x 16 mm) with dots and brown spots concentrated on the broadest side. Nests probably all year long.
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Habitat
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Miki miki bushes (Pemphis acidula), fara (Pandanus tectorius), areas of Timonius polygamus and tohonu (Tournefortia argentea) and coconut groves. The species likes the tou (Cordia subcordata) and miro (Thespesia populnea).
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Voice
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Emits various whistles and repeated “chrou” as Tahiti Reed-warbler (Acrocephalus caffer).
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Food
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Varied, especially insects. Like all French Polynesian Reed-warblers, it hunts both on the ground and in trees and shrubs, which is unusual for the genus. This reflects an adaptation to island lifestyles where birds tend to occupy several ecological niches rather than specialize and frequent only one type of habitat as is often the case for continental species.
Status and protection
The species is listed in category A of the list of species protected by the territorial regulations of French Polynesia.
The species is not yet threatened and classified as « Least Concern » (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
Original text by Caroline BLANVILLAIN – Supplements and update by various members of the SOP Manu.