The Oʻahu ʻakialoa is an extinct species of Hawaiian honeycreeper in the subfamily Carduelinae of the family Fringillidae. It was endemic to the island of Oʻahu in Hawaii.
Region
Hawaiian Islands
Typical Environment
Historically confined to native forests on Oʻahu, especially wet and mesic montane habitats dominated by ʻōhiʻa and koa. It foraged along ridgelines, gulches, and mature forest canopies where nectar and arthropods were abundant. As disease and deforestation increased, it likely retreated to higher elevations with cooler temperatures and fewer mosquitoes.
Altitude Range
200–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Oʻahu ʻakialoa was a long-billed Hawaiian honeycreeper specialized for probing flowers and crevices for nectar and insects. Its extremely elongated, decurved bill was among the most distinctive of the Hawaiian finches, reflecting strong coevolution with native plants like ʻōhiʻa. It vanished following habitat loss, introduced predators, and mosquito-borne avian diseases.
Akialoa ellisiana
Temperament
secretive and methodical forager
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches and foraging sites
Social Behavior
Primarily solitary or found in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Nests were likely cup-shaped structures placed in forks or dense foliage of native trees. Both parents probably participated in provisioning of nestlings, as in many honeycreepers.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A thin, high-pitched series of chips and trills, interspersed with soft whistles. Vocalizations were used for contact and territory maintenance in dense forest.
