Aerodramus bartschi

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARIANA SWIFTLET
James D. Reichel1,†, Charles T. Collins2,4, Derek W. Stinson1,3, and Vicente A. Camacho1


1011 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan, Mariana Islands, 96950

1022 Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA

1033 Current address: Wildlife Program, Endangered Species Section, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501, USA

1044 Corresponding author; ccollins@csulb.edu


Abstract
The Mariana Swiftlet (Aerodramus bartschi) on Saipan lays a single white egg which is incubated for 22.95 days (range 17–30 days). Newly hatched nestlings are naked and weigh 1.11 g (range 1.0– 1.2 g). Nestlings grow slowly, reaching asymptotic weight on day 29 and fledging after 46.8 days (range 40– 55 days). Post-asymptotic weight recession is ±2% and nestlings fledge at slightly above adult weight of 8.01 g. Wing and tail length are >94% of adult size at fledging. Low clutch size, slow chick growth, and extended nestling period are characteristic of other species of swiftlets and may represent food limitation in these diminutive aerial insectivores.

Received: September 25, 2006; Accepted: February 24, 2007