Nightingale Reed-Warbler Ga'karriso / Ga'kaliso
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Nightingale Reed-Warbler Ga'karriso / Ga'kaliso
Acrocephalus luscinia
The Nightingale Reed-Warbler once lived in the Agana Swamp, Atantåno River marsh, and other freshwater wetlands with thick reedbeds. Its Chamoru name "ga'karisu" means "dweller among the reeds". The birds were often shy and difficult to see. Their yellow-brown color helped them to hide among the dry cane stalks.
The ga'karisu was known for its beautiful and loud song, which was composed of trills, warbles, and whistles. The birds would sing for up to several minutes at a time, often from an exposed perch on top of a tall reed stalk. Most singing was performed by the males as they defended their territories. These birds caught insects with long curved bills.
Ga'karisu were last seen on Guam in the late 1960s. Biologists believe that wetland fires, predation by the brown tree snake, and pesticides may have caused their extinction. Fortunately, the species still lives on Saipan, Alamagan, and Aguijan in the Northern Marianas. On these islands, ga'karisu live in upland thickets of grass, tångantångan, and forest.
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
