Justification This species has been uplisted to Endangered because it has a small and declining population, which faces a number of threats that may increase in severity in the future. Renewed logging and planned housing developments may result in further declines in available breeding habitat.

Family/Sub-family Hirundinidae

Species name author (Bryant, 1859)

Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Synonyms Callichelidon cyaneoviridis Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification 15 cm. Blue, green and white swallow. Dark green crown, nape and mantle, bluish-green rump, blue wings and forked tail, white underparts. Female duller with less pure white underparts. Similar spp Tree Swallow T. bicolor is more metallic with darker, blackish wings and less forked tail. Juvenile T. cyaneoviridis is greyer on back and head with less brown on breast than T. bicolor. Voice Sharp, metallic chep or chi chep. Hints Often feeds high and glides. Most active in evenings and cloudy weather.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000-2,499

decreasing

8,100 km²

No

Range & population Tachycineta cyaneoviridis breeds on Grand Bahama, Great Abaco and Andros in the northern Bahamas^2,4. It may be extinct as a breeding bird on New Providence⁴, but a few birds are seen each breeding season suggesting the presence of a relict but severely threatened population⁷. The winter distribution is poorly defined, but there are a number of records from the southern Bahamas and eastern Cuba, and small numbers appear to be resident on the breeding islands⁷. On migration, it occurs irregularly in the lower Florida Keys and through southern Florida, USA². The area of breeding habitat is c.2,000 km^{2 1}, and a population of 2,400 pairs was crudely estimated in the late 1980s⁵. There is no empirical data to confirm population trends, but anecdotal reports suggest that the species has declined considerably in numbers and is now a scarce species even in suitable habitat^8,9,10.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It nests in natural cavities and old woodpecker holes in pine Pinus caribaea woodlands⁵. It also occurs locally in towns and around human habitation, where it nests in artificial cavities and other human structures¹. It tends to feed in open areas such as clearings in woodland, marshes, fields and along coastlines⁶. Breeding takes place in April-July^1,6. Movements are poorly known, but some birds undertake small-scale migrations during winter.

Threats Logging of pines in the northern Bahamas has probably had a major impact⁵. Logging was terminated in the early 1970s, but much of the secondary forest is now approaching maturity and there are opportunities for renewed logging¹. Planned housing developments could eliminate 8% of remaining breeding habitat¹ and there is potential for considerable future building developments on Grand Bahama¹¹, though in recent decades habitat loss has been modest⁸. There is competition for nest-sites with introduced cavity-nesters such as House Sparrow Passer domesticus and European Starling Sturnus vulgaris¹. The small area of remaining habitat exacerbates the risk of hurricane-induced habitat loss¹; the only notable habitat loss in recent years has resulted from saltwater intrusion associated with large storm surges following hurricanes in 2004⁸. The frequency of hurricanes within the species's range may increase in coming years as a consequence of global climate change. Fire management may be important for the species as fire suppression may render areas of forest unsuitable over time⁸.

Conservation measures underway A nest box scheme was initiated on Grand Bahama in 1995 to remedy the lack of suitable nest-holes^1,3. A total of 227 boxes were erected at several sites and three were occupied^1,3.

Conservation measures proposed Survey all suitable breeding habitat and assess the status of the species and its habitat; gathering empirical evidence to clarify population trends is a priority. Assess winter distribution and habitat requirements. Study the impacts of fire suppression on the species. Maintain natural nest-sites through a pine snag management programme¹, and potentially fire management. Assess and monitor the success of the nest box scheme. Protect remaining forest in the Bahamas and minimise the area lost to housing development and logging. Assess the impact of starling and house sparrows on the population and develop appropriate measures to reduce the threat.

References 1. Allen (1996). 2. AOU (1998). 3. A. Mitchell in litt. (1998). 4. Raffaele et al. (1998). 5. Smith and Smith (1989). 6. Turner and Rose (1989). 7. A. White in litt. (1999). 8. J. Lloyd in litt. (2009). 9. D. Moore in litt. (2009). 10. F. Rivera-Milan in litt. (2009). 11. L. Gape in litt. (2009).

Text account compilers Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division), Rob Pople (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International)

Contributors Lynn Gape (Bahamas National Trust), John Lloyd, Andy Mitchell, Denny Moore (Bahamas National Trust), Frank Rivera-Milan (US Fish & Wildlife Service), Caroline Stahala, Carolyn Wardle (Bahamas National Trust), A. White, Joseph Wunderle

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Tachycineta cyaneoviridis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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