Hakalau Birds Flashcards
ˊAkiapōlaˊāu
Endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper of native forests above 5,000 feet elevation on Hawaii Island. Appears bigger-headed and shorter-tailed than other honeycreepers. The long, thin upper bill can be hard to see. The stout lower bill is used to hammer like a woodpecker, making an audible tapping sound. Forages for insects on large branches. Male song is a loud, complex warble, and is lower-pitched and louder than those of other honeycreepers.
‘Apapane
Blood-red Hawaiian honeycreeper. Smaller and darker red than the I’iwi, with a shorter black bill and white under the tail. Juveniles are brown instead of red. Large numbers may congregate in a flowering tree. Sometimes holds the tail cocked up. Often flies in flocks, sometimes high above the forest. Song consists of 2–3 soft notes followed by a reedy trill: “dee-der-di-di-di-di.”
Hawaiˊi ˊAkepa
A small, rare Hawaiian honeycreeper of native forests above 5,000 feet elevation on Hawaii Island. Brilliant orange color of males is unique. The longer tail with a notched tip distinguishes females from other small honeycreepers. Usually stays high in the forest canopy. Nests in cavities of large, hollow trees. The crossed bill that it uses to pry open leaf buds in search of insects and larvae is difficult to see. Song is a wavering trill that changes in pitch and speeds up and slows down. Call is a soft “tiddle-ee.” Endangered.
Hawai’i Amakihi
A small, common Hawaiian honeycreeper of forests on Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, and rarely Lanai. Males are bright yellow and females are yellowish green. The bill is thicker and more curved than that of Japanese White-eye. Abundant in high elevation native forest; also occurs at lower elevations even in non-native forest. Moves quickly among leaves and small branches in the understory and forest canopy in search of nectar, insects, and fruit. Song is a trill that does not change in pitch or speed. Call is a nasal “chee.”
ˊAlawi
Endangered and live in native ˊohiˊa and koa forests. They forage for food by “creeping” up and down branches, flecking off the bark in search for larvae and insects to eat.
Hawaiˊi ˊElepaio
A small flycatcher of forested habitats on Hawaii Island. Adults have white wingbars, rump, and tail tips. More common and widespread in native forest at higher elevations, but occurs at lower elevations in some areas where forest remains. Bold and curious; not afraid of people and may follow hikers. Often holds tail cocked up at an angle. Male song is a shrill “El-eh-pie-oh” for which the species is named. Both sexes give a variety of calls and scolding notes. May respond to pishing and squeaking.
The ʻelepaio is the first native bird to sing in the morning and the last to stop singing at night; It nests between January and June.
I’iwi
A bright red Hawaiian honeycreeper of high elevation native forests on Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island. Very rare on Oahu and Molokai. The brilliant crimson color and long, curved salmon-colored bill are diagnostic. Juveniles are mottled green, yellow, and orange. Very active and boisterous in the understory and forest canopy. Aggressively chases other birds from flowering trees. Vocalizations include a complex array of gurgles, chuckles, and reedy notes, more varied, lower pitched, and louder than those of the Apapane.
Oma’o
A plump thrush of dense native forests above 3,000 feet elevation on the eastern side of Hawaii Island. Also occurs sparsely in high montane shrubland. Shy and unobtrusive; may sit motionless for extended periods in the understory or high in the canopy. Has peculiar habit of quivering wings when perched. More easily heard than seen. Song, sometimes given from an exposed perch, is a series of loud, jerky phrases. Calls include a loud whistle and a series of ascending flute-like notes.
Palila
A rare Hawaiian honeycreeper of high elevation dry forests on the western slope of Mauna Kea volcano on Hawaii Island. Occurs only above 6,500 feet. Males and females are similarly patterned but males are more brightly colored. Quiet and generally shy, but males may sing from an exposed perch. Sometimes found in pairs or small groups. Feeds primarily on green seed pods of the mamane tree. Call is a soft “pah-lee-lah.”
Nēnē
A distinctively marked goose with neck feathers that have a peculiar furrowed appearance. Occurs in wetlands, grassy areas, golf courses, montane shrubland, parks, and even lava fields with sparse vegetation. May associate with feral domestic waterfowl in parks. Males aggressively defend nests. Common and widespread on Kauai, more locally distributed on Maui, Hawaii, and Molokai, rare on Oahu. Call is a typical goose-like honking.
Pueo
The pueo, or Hawaiian Short-eared Owl, is an endemic subspecies of the widespread Short-eared Owl(Asio flammeus; Family: Strigidae). The pueo is thought to have colonized the Hawaiian Islands sometime after the arrival of Polynesians. Unlike most owls, pueo are active during the day (i.e., diurnal), and are commonly seen hovering or soaring over open areas. Pueotends to be more active during crepuscular periods (dawn and dusk), likely associated with prey availability.Like short-eared owls in continental environments, those in Hawai‘i consume small mammals, in addition to small birds, and insects. Their relatively recent establishment on Hawai‘i may have been tied to the rats (Rattus exulans) that Polynesians brought to the islands.
ˊIo
A medium-sized, compact hawk with broad wings. It is the only resident hawk in Hawaii and occurs only on Hawaii Island. Raptors seen on other islands are migrants. Coloration varies from all dark to white below and dark above. Occurs in dense forest, forest edge, and plantations. Hunts birds, rodents, and large insects among trees and on the ground. Sometimes soars high above the forest canopy. Call is a high, descending “Keeer.”
ˊAlalā
This large, black, and extraordinarily loud bird vanished from Hawaiian forests in 2002. Fortunately it survived in aviaries, and captive bred birds began to be released back into the wild in 2016 in remote parts of the Big Island; early signs are promising with several pairs attempting to nest. Known to Native Hawaiians as ʻAlalā, it is the only crow or crow-like bird currently found on the archipelago. It is much bigger than the crows found on the US mainland, and is closer in size to a raven. Gives a variety of loud caws, croaks, and squeals.
