Hawaiʻi ʻōʻō

The Hawaiʻi ʻōʻō is an extinct Hawaiian honeyeater in the genus Moho. It was previously regarded as member of the Australo-Pacific honeyeaters (Meliphagidae).

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Distribution

Region

Hawaiian Islands

Typical Environment

Historically restricted to moist and wet forests on Hawaiʻi Island, especially in ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros) and Koa (Acacia koa) dominated habitats. It foraged high in the canopy around flowering trees and lobelioids. As lowland habitats were degraded, the species retreated upslope into remaining montane forest. It frequented both primary and mature secondary forest with abundant nectar sources.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size27–32 cm

Wing Span35–40 cm

Male Weight0.07 kg

Female Weight0.06 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The Hawaiʻi ʻōʻō was a Hawaiian honeyeater, long placed with Meliphagidae but now recognized in the extinct family Mohoidae. Its bright yellow thigh tufts were prized by Native Hawaiians for traditional featherwork. It vanished in the early 1900s due to habitat loss, introduced diseases (notably avian malaria carried by mosquitoes), and predation by invasive species.

Gallery

Illustration by John Gerrard Keulemans, 1893

Illustration by William Ellis

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and alert

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with quick dashes between trees

Social Behavior

Usually observed singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Pairs defended rich flowering trees as feeding territories. Nesting was likely a cup-shaped structure placed on branches in dense foliage.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Rich, ringing whistles and fluted notes, including clear “ʻō-ʻō” phrases that carried through the forest. Males delivered conspicuous songs from high perches and pairs sometimes exchanged calls.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Hawaiian coot

The 'ʻAlae keʻokeʻo, also known as the Hawaiian coot in English, is a bird in the rail family, Rallidae, that is endemic to Hawaiʻi. In Hawaiian, ʻalae is a noun and means mud hen. Kea or its synonym keo is an adjective for white. It is similar to the American coot at 33–40.6 cm (13–16 in) in length and weighing around 700 g. It has black plumage and a prominent white frontal shield. Its natural habitats are freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, coastal saline lagoons, and water storage areas. The bird was federally listed in October 1970 as an endangered species and is considered both endemic and endangered by the state of Hawaiʻi. It is threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators such as the small Asian mongoose. The Makalawena Marsh on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi has been listed as a National Natural Landmark to preserve one of its last nesting areas.

Hawaiian crow

The Hawaiian crow or ʻalalā is a species of bird in the crow family, Corvidae, that is currently extinct in the wild, though reintroduction programs are underway. It is about the size of the carrion crow at 48–50 cm (19–20 in) in length, but with more rounded wings and a much thicker bill. It has soft, brownish-black plumage and long, bristly throat feathers; the feet, legs, and bill are black. Today, the Hawaiian crow is considered the most endangered of the family Corvidae. They are recorded to have lived up to 18 years in the wild, and 28 years in captivity. Some Native Hawaiians consider the Hawaiian crow an ʻaumakua.

Hawaiian duck

The Hawaiian duck or koloa is a species of bird in the family Anatidae that is endemic to the large islands of Hawaiʻi. Taxonomically, the koloa is closely allied with the mallard. It differs in that it is monomorphic and non-migratory. As with many duck species in the genus Anas, Hawaiian duck and mallards can interbreed and produce viable offspring, and the koloa has previously been considered an island subspecies of the mallard. However, all major authorities now consider this form to be a distinct species within the mallard complex. Recent analyses indicate that this is a distinct species that arose through ancient hybridization between mallard and the Laysan duck. The native Hawaiian name for this duck is koloa maoli, or simply koloa. This species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and its population trend is increasing.

Hawaiian hawk

The Hawaiian hawk or ʻio is a raptor in the genus Buteo endemic to Hawaiʻi, currently restricted to the Big Island. The ʻio is one of two extant birds of prey that are native to Hawaiʻi, the other being the pueo and fossil evidence indicates that it inhabited the island of Hawaiʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and Kauaʻi at one time. Today, it is known to breed only on the Big Island, in stands of native ʻōhiʻa lehua trees. The species was protected as an endangered species in the United States, but was delisted in 2020. However, the IUCN classifies the species as Near Threatened. NatureServe considers the species Vulnerable.