LC
Cook Islands Reed-warbler Acrocephalus kerearako



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note
This species was initially considered a subspecies of A. vaughani; unlike the latter (which does not sing), however, it is a good singer, and differs also in measurements, in plumage coloration, in showing no tendency towards leucism, and in DNA (Cibois et al. 2011a). Two subspecies are recognized.

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2024 Least Concern
2016 Near Threatened B1b(v); D2
2012 Near Threatened B1ab(v);D2
2008 Near Threatened D2
2004 Near Threatened
2000 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1994 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency low
Land-mass type Average mass 22 g
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 1,600 km2 medium
Area of Occupancy (breeding/resident) 120 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size unknown - - -
Population trend stable poor suspected 1998-2008
Generation length 3.1 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as common across both islands in its range (McCormack 1997, del Hoyo et al. 2006, Thibault and Cibois 2017, eBird 2023).

Trend justification: There are no data on population trends. Although introduced species and habitat loss and fragmentation are plausible threats, the species occurs in a wide variety of habitats and seemingly remains very common throughout both islands. Additionally, forests on Mangaia have been regenerating in spite of these threats, with forest extent (primarily secondary forest, but also primary and Barringtonia forests) substantially increasing between 1996 and 2019 due to the cessation of widespread pineapple cultivation (Thacker et al. 2022). eBird records on Mangaia also do not suggest the species has become substantially less common (eBird 2023). In the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, the species is here suspected to be stable.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Cook Islands extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Cook Islands Mangaia
Cook Islands Miti'aro Island

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Terrestrial Rural Gardens suitable resident
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland suitable resident
Shrubland Subtropical/Tropical Moist suitable resident
Wetlands (inland) Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands suitable resident
Altitude 0 - 180 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Small-holder farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) No decline Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Acridotheres tristis Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species disturbance, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Capra hircus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) No decline Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Felis catus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) No decline Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Rattus exulans Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) No decline Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - Rattus rattus Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) No decline Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Cook Islands Reed-warbler Acrocephalus kerearako. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cook-islands-reed-warbler-acrocephalus-kerearako on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.