Australian reed warbler

Last updated

Australian reed warbler
Acrocephalus australis - Bushell's Lagoon.jpg
At Bushell's Lagoon, New South Wales, Australia
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Acrocephalidae
Genus: Acrocephalus
Species:
A. australis
Binomial name
Acrocephalus australis
(Gould, 1838)
Australian reed warbler species distribution map.jpg
Distribution of Australian reed warbler (Acrocephalus australis) shown in red
Australian reed warbler perched on reeds Reed Warbler on reeds by Gary Tate.jpg
Australian reed warbler perched on reeds

The Australian reed warbler (Acrocephalus australis) is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus and is the only Acrocephalus species native to Australia. [2] It has also been observed in Papua New Guinea and nearby islands. The name Acrocephalus refers to the peaked crown found on reed warblers in this genus and can be translated to mean "topmost head" in Greek. [2] The species name australis is translated to mean "southern" in Latin, and refers to the species range, Australia. [2] In its western range the Australian reed warbler is also known as "Koordjikotji" (pronounced core’chee’caw’chee) in the local Aboriginal language of Perth and its surrounds. [3]

Contents

Taxonomy and evolution

The taxonomic classification of the family Sylviidae is unstable and requires further enquiry. [2] At present, it includes Old World warblers, Old World babblers and allies, which comprises 680 species in 119 genera, a diverse group of small to medium passerine birds. [2] Genus Acrocephalus sits within the subfamily Acrocephalinae, which encompasses 223 species in 36 genera. [4] Within subfamily Acrocephalinae, the Australian reed warbler is recognised as belonging to a monophyletic group consisting of Palearctic and Australasian region species. [5] However, recent mitochondrial DNA analysis infers that pacific reed warblers (Acrocephalus spp.) can be divided into two main clades; Micronesian (except Guam), two Polynesian, southern Marquesas and Australian species in one clade, and remaining Polynesian taxa in the other clade. [6] This analysis results in dividing the main Pacific group into a Micronesian group and a Polynesian group. [6] The closest relative of the Australian reed warbler was previously recognised as the Pitcairn reed warbler (Acrocephalus vaughani), endemic to South Polynesia. [5] Most recent phylogenetic analysis, however, finds the closest relative to the Australian reed warbler is the Caroline reed warbler (Acrocephalus syrinx). [6]

Subspecies

There are two recognised subspecies:

Description and field identification

This species appears long (15–18 cm), slender and plain, with drab brown plumage that varies with wear. [2] [8] Wing tips fall short of the uppertail-coverts giving the wings a short appearance. [2] [9] The beak is long and thin (17-23mm) with a slightly decurved bill that has a slight hook at the tip. [2] [8] The tarsus and feet appear long compared to the tibia which is short and feathered. [2] Sexes are monomorphic. In fresh plumage, birds have russet brown plumage extending from the crown down to the back. [2] The uppertail-coverts are rufous, the tail measurers between 51–71 mm, the underparts and belly plumage is a duller rufous brown than the back, and white plumage is found on the throat and chin. [2] [8] An indistinct pale brown supercilium extends from close to the bill to midway on the ear-coverts, the feathers on the crown are slightly elongated and they are often raised to form a crest during song. [2] Juveniles are very similar to adults but have yellowish-brownish uppertail-coverts and underparts. [2] Worn plumage on rump and uppertail-coverts is duller and the upperparts have a grey or olive tinge, the underparts become faded and appear to merge into the paler throat plumage and the supercilium fades to white. [2]

Song

Described as a sweet melodious warble with rich fluty notes as well as hard and metallic sounding notes, Australian reed warbler song is loud and varied. [9] The song of this species consists of sets of short sequences consisting of a pattern of sounds that is repeated, after a 3-5 second interval, in varied combinations. [9] Song is believed to be a sexually selected trait in Australian reed warblers, used as a signal to advertise a male's fitness to females and other males, as well as having a role in establishing and defending breeding territories. [10]

Habitat

Australian reed warblers are found in a wide range of natural and man-made wetlands including fresh, brackish and saltwater environments. [9] Dense vegetation with vertical structures such as reeds ( Phragmites ), reedmace ( Typha ) and rushes ( Juncus ) are frequented in breeding and non-breeding season and Australian reed warblers are often observed perched sideways midway along a reed stem. [2] [9] This species is occasionally observed in shrublands and riparian woodlands surrounding water bodies where it can be observed foraging. [2] [9]

Ecology

Feeding

This species forages mainly individually but sometimes in pairs, in dense vegetation on insects and spiders [7] and occasionally molluscs and seeds. [2] The Australian reed warbler forages amongst dense riparian vegetation and in surrounding shrubs and woodlands where it can be seen gleaning arthropods from vegetation. [2] This species is also known to sometimes forage on open mud near reeds and rushes. [7]

Australian reed warbler building nest Reed Warbler nest building by Gary Tate.jpg
Australian reed warbler building nest

Breeding

This species forms a socially monogamous seasonal breeding pair; nest building and chick feeding are carried out by the pair for the season. [10] The same male and female pairings are not typically repeated in following seasons. [10] Australian reed warblers are known to be polygynous/polyandrous and engage in extra-pair copulations. [2] [7] Unlike all other Acrocephalus species which are sedentary, the Australian reed warbler migrates seasonally. [6] The Australian reed warbler migrates to Southwest and Southeast Australia to breed from overwinter grounds throughout Eastern and Northern Australia. [9] Males arrive at the breeding grounds from July to August onwards. [9] Breeding season is from October to December in south-eastern Australia [11] and September to December in southern Australia. [10] Both males and females build the nest; however, the females contribute more than the males. [7] The nest is a deep cup (6.4 – 9 cm diameter and 7 – 18.5 cm height) made from dead and fresh vegetation usually supported by fresh and dead reed stems found between 30–200 cm off the ground or water surface. [7] Incubation is carried out by the female for 13 – 15 days and clutch size is between 2 and 4 eggs. [7] Chicks are fed by both the male and female in the nest for a period of 10–13 days and parents continue to feed fledglings outside the nest until they are more than 28 days old. [7] Australian reed warblers have a nesting success of 58%, and nest predation is the major cause of nesting losses. [7]

Nest with 4 eggs Reed Warbler eggs x 4 (1) (1280x851).jpg
Nest with 4 eggs

Courtship and breeding behaviours

Males arrive at breeding sites before females to establish a breeding territory. [10] During breeding season, it is believed that males use song to establish and defend their territories as well as to advertise their fitness to other males and to females. [11] Males use song extensively throughout the breeding season and can be observed singing from a perched position on breeding ground reeds with their fore crown feathers raised and throat feathers puffed out whilst singing. [9] Whilst males and females build the nest used for incubating eggs and raising chicks, males build a different type of nest structure during courtship. [10] These nest-like structures lack the strength and shape to be suitable for eggs and chicks, and are constructed prior to breeding commencement. [10] This behaviour and the resultant nest-like structure is believed to be driven by mate selection, as well as the selection of a breeding territory during the formation of breeding pairs. [10]

Threats and human interaction

This species is vulnerable to loss of suitable habitat through burning, clearing or draining of waterbodies and reed vegetation surrounding the waterbodies. [7] Migratory birds in south-east Australia are undergoing changes in breeding ground arrival and departure dates as a result of the effects of climate change. [12] [13] The extent of these effects specifically on Australian reed warblers is unknown.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common cuckoo</span> Species of bird

The common cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, Cuculiformes, which includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great white pelican</span> Species of bird

The great white pelican also known as the eastern white pelican, rosy pelican or simply white pelican is a bird in the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia and Africa, in swamps and shallow lakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savi's warbler</span> Species of bird

Savi's warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the grass warbler genus Locustella. It breeds in Europe and the western Palearctic. It is migratory, wintering in northern and sub-Saharan Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common reed warbler</span> Species of bird

The common reed warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds across Europe into the temperate western Palaearctic where it is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also a resident species over large parts of Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sedge warbler</span> Species of bird

The sedge warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It is a medium-sized warbler with a brown, streaked back and wings and a distinct pale supercilium. Sedge warblers are migratory, crossing the Sahara to get from their European and Asian breeding grounds to spend winter in Africa. The male's song is composed of random chattering phrases and can include mimicry of other species. The sedge warbler is mostly insectivorous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great reed warbler</span> Eurasian bird

The great reed warbler is a Eurasian bird in the passerine genus Acrocephalus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paddyfield warbler</span> Species of bird

The paddyfield warbler is a species of marsh warbler. It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage. The Manchurian reed warbler was included in A. agricola as a subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moustached warbler</span> Species of bird

The moustached warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds in southern Europe and southern temperate Asia with a few breeding in north-west Africa. It is partially migratory. South-west European birds are resident, south-east European birds winter in the Mediterranean breeding range, and the Asiatic race migrates to Arabia, India and Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clamorous reed warbler</span> Species of bird

The clamorous reed warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds from Egypt eastwards through Pakistan, Afghanistan and northernmost India to south China and southeast Asia. A. s. meridionalis is an endemic race in Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slaty-tailed trogon</span> Species of bird

The slaty-tailed trogon is a near passerine bird in the family Trogonidae, the quetzals and trogons. It is found in Mexico, throughout Central America, and in Colombia and Ecuador.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seychelles warbler</span> Species of bird

The Seychelles warbler, also known as Seychelles brush warbler, is a small songbird found on five granitic and corraline islands in the Seychelles. It is a greenish-brown bird with long legs and a long slender bill. It is primarily found in forested areas on the islands. The Seychelles warbler is a rarity in that it exhibits cooperative breeding, or alloparenting, which means that the monogamous pair is assisted by nonbreeding female helpers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-eared hummingbird</span> Species of hummingbird

The white-eared hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found from the southwestern U.S. to Nicaragua.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little grassbird</span> Species of bird

The little grassbird is a species of Old World warbler in the family Locustellidae. It is found in Australia and in West Papua, Indonesia. These sexually monomorphic birds are found in reed beds, rushes, lignum swamps and salt marshes of Southeastern Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey-capped warbler</span> Species of bird

The grey-capped warbler is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is monotypic in the genus Eminia. The grey-capped warbler is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is a large, chunky, thin-tailed-warbler with a distinctive grey cap, a black band around its head, and a chestnut throat wrapping its neck. Grey-capped warblers maintain a diet of insects and other invertebrates, including caterpillars, moths, grasshoppers, and mantids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chatham gerygone</span> Species of bird

The Chatham gerygone or Chatham Island warbler is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae. It is endemic to the Chatham Islands. The Chatham Island warbler is larger than and differs in plumage from the related grey warbler of mainland New Zealand. Both warblers were discovered and named by G. R. Gray in 1845. The grey and Chatham Island warblers are the only two members of the Australasian family Acanthizidae found in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curve-billed reedhaunter</span> Species of bird

The curve-billed reedhaunter is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-winged fairywren</span> Passerine bird in the Australasian wren family

The red-winged fairywren is a species of passerine bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is non-migratory and endemic to the southwestern corner of Western Australia. Exhibiting a high degree of sexual dimorphism, the male adopts a brilliantly coloured breeding plumage, with an iridescent silvery-blue crown, ear coverts and upper back, red shoulders, contrasting with a black throat, grey-brown tail and wings and pale underparts. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have predominantly grey-brown plumage, though males may bear isolated blue and black feathers. No separate subspecies are recognised. Similar in appearance and closely related to the variegated fairywren and the blue-breasted fairywren, it is regarded as a separate species as no intermediate forms have been recorded where their ranges overlap. Though the red-winged fairywren is locally common, there is evidence of a decline in numbers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wren-like rushbird</span> Species of bird

The wren-like rushbird is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oriental reed warbler</span> Species of bird

The Oriental reed warbler is a passerine bird of eastern Asia belonging to the reed warbler genus Acrocephalus. It was formerly classified as a subspecies of the great reed warbler of the western Palearctic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nauru reed warbler</span> Passerine bird endemic to the Pacific island of Nauru

The Nauru reed warbler is a passerine bird endemic to the island of Nauru in the Pacific Ocean. It is one of only two native breeding land-birds on Nauru and it is the only passerine found on the island. It is related to other Micronesian reed warblers, all of which evolved from one of several radiations of the genus across the Pacific. Related warblers on nearby islands include the Caroline reed warbler, with which the Nauru species was initially confused, and the nightingale reed warbler, which was formerly sometimes considered the same species.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2017). "Acrocephalus australis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T22714763A111099969. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22714763A111099969.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic birds. Marchant, S., Higgins, P. J. (Peter Jeffrey), 1959-, Ambrose, S. J., Davies, S. J. J. F., Steele, W. K. (William K.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. 1990–2006. ISBN   978-0195530681. OCLC   23753076.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ↑ Abbott, I (2009). "Aboriginal names of bird species in south-west Western Australia, with suggestions for their adoption into common usage". Conservation Science Western Australia. 7 (2): 213–278.
  4. ↑ Sibley & Monroe, G, C & B, L (1990). Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. 1 2 Leisler, Bernd; Heidrich, Petra; Schulze-Hagen, Karl; Wink, Michael (1997). "Taxonomy and phylogeny of reed warblers (genusAcrocephalus) based on mtDNA sequences and morphology". Journal of Ornithology. 138 (4): 469–496. doi:10.1007/bf01651381. ISSN   0021-8375. S2CID   40665930.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Cibois, Alice; Beadell, Jon S.; Graves, Gary R.; Pasquet, Eric; Slikas, Beth; Sonsthagen, Sarah A.; Thibault, Jean-Claude; Fleischer, Robert C. (2011-06-28). "Charting the course of reed-warblers across the Pacific islands". Journal of Biogeography. 38 (10): 1963–1975. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2011.02542.x. ISSN   0305-0270. S2CID   73674812.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Handbook of the birds of the world . Hoyo, Josep del., Elliott, Andrew., Sargatal, Jordi., Cabot, José. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. 2013. ISBN   978-8487334108. OCLC   861071869.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. 1 2 3 Peter, Menkhorst (2017). The Australian bird guide. Rogers, Danny I.,, Clarke, Rohan,, Davies, J. N. (Jeff N.),, Marsack, Peter,, Franklin, Kim. Clayton, Vic. ISBN   9780643097544. OCLC   959551110.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Kennerley, Peter (2010). Reed and bush warblers. Pearson, David J., 1941-. London: C. Helm. ISBN   978-0713660227. OCLC   669265311.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Berg, M. L., Beintema, N. H., Welbergen, J. A., & Komdeur, J. (2006). "The functional significance of multiple nest-building in the Australian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus australis" (PDF). Ibis. 148 (3): 395–404. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.2006.00482.x.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. 1 2 Berg, Mathew L.; Beintema, Nienke H.; Welbergen, Justin A.; Komdeur, Jan (2005). "Singing as a handicap: the effects of food availability and weather on song output in the Australian reed warblerAcrocephalus australis" (PDF). Journal of Avian Biology. 36 (2): 102–109. doi:10.1111/j.0908-8857.2005.03285.x. hdl: 11370/3b757961-bd2e-4d21-a52e-307b2b358e79 . ISSN   0908-8857.
  12. ↑ Beaumont, Linda J.; McAllan, Ian A. W.; Hughes, Lesley (2006). "A matter of timing: changes in the first date of arrival and last date of departure of Australian migratory birds". Global Change Biology. 12 (7): 1339–1354. Bibcode:2006GCBio..12.1339B. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01171.x. ISSN   1354-1013. S2CID   85567489.
  13. ↑ Chambers, L.E., Hughes, L. & Weston, M.A. (2005). "Climate change and its impact on Australia's avifauna". Emu. 105 (1): 1–20. doi:10.1071/mu04033. S2CID   82112372.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.