Raivavae Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus sp.)

No Reed Warbler species are known to inhabit the Austral Islands today, yet their former existence in that archipelago is more than likely, given the fact that such species are found on the Cook Islands to the north and on the Tuamotu archipelago to the east.

And, there is indeed at least one record of a reed warbler that was heard singing on one of the Austral Islands – Raivavae.:

“A. v. sous-espèce ? 

Raevavae: des fauvettes furent entendues par Lacan (J.-L. Mougin, comm. pers.) en mai 1968.” [1]

translation:

“A. v. subspecies? 

Raevavae: warblers were heard by Lacan (J.-L. Mougin, pers. Comm.) in May 1968.“

and:

“Une espèce non identifiée d’Acrocephalus a été notée à Raivavae en 1968 mais n’a pas été retrouvé en 1990 (Seitre et Seitre 1991) et pouvait donc être un oiseau erratique.” [1]

translation:

“An unidentified species of Acrocephalus was recorded at Raivavae in 1968 but was not found in 1990 (Seitre and Seitre 1991) and could therefore be an erratic bird.“

This one, brief record may in fact refer to a last remaining tiny population of an endemic reed warbler population that went extinct so after. 

*********************

References:

[1] D. T. Holyoack; J.-C. Thibault: Contribution à l’étude des oiseaux de Polynésie orientale. Mémoire du MNHN, Série A Zoologie 27: 121-122. 1984

*********************

edited: 03.01.2024