The Oʻahu ʻākepa is an extinct species of ʻākepa that was endemic to the island of Oahu. It was commonly sighted throughout the 19th century. This brick red Hawaiian honeycreeper was found in the mountain peaks in densely forested areas. The females were mostly gray with a tinge of green. The birds had a slight crossbill just like the other Loxops species. It used its crossbill to open up buds in search for nectar and insects for it to eat. Its most common haunts were the ʻōhiʻa and koa forests that were filled with the many flowers and insects that this species liked to eat. The Oʻahu ʻākepa is one of three different species of ʻākepa that were spread by possible weather and migration. The movement of the species stopped causing the species to break into four branches. The first branch was the Hawaiian ʻākepa, a scarlet- red bird that lives only on the Big Island and may be the ancestor of the genus Loxops. Next is the Maui ʻākepa, which was found as fossils on all the islands of Maui Nui, but was historically seen on Maui. It is a grayish-orange bird that was the first of the ʻākepa species to disappear. Then came the Oʻahu ʻākepa, which is a brick-red color and was seen till around the 1900s when it became extinct. The last branch was the akeke‘e, a green bird that is only found on the island of Kauaʻi.
Region
Hawaiian Islands
Typical Environment
Historically confined to Oʻahu’s upland native forests, especially in the Wai‘anae and Koʻolau Ranges. It favored wet and mesic forests dominated by ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) and koa (Acacia koa). The species foraged high in the canopy, exploiting leaf and flower buds rich in arthropods. Its range contracted as lowland and mid-elevation forests were degraded and as disease pressure increased.
Altitude Range
200–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Oʻahu ʻakepa was a small Hawaiian honeycreeper specialized for prying open ʻōhiʻa buds with its slightly crossed bill to glean insects and sip nectar. Males were brick-red while females were gray-green, a strong sexual dimorphism typical of ʻakepa. It vanished by the early 1900s, likely due to habitat loss, introduced diseases spread by mosquitoes, and the decline of native forests.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; agile canopy flier
Social Behavior
Often joined mixed-species foraging flocks with other native honeycreepers. Likely formed monogamous pairs and nested in natural cavities or crevices in mature ʻōhiʻa or koa. Foraging was cooperative and methodical among canopy foliage.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A thin, high-pitched series of trills and chips, typical of small honeycreepers. Contact calls were short and sibilant, carrying through the canopy without being loud.
