Hawaiian Honeycreepers

I'iwi (Vestiaria coccinea)
photo by Oahu Nature Tours
Spectacular examples of adaptive radiation evolution exist in the Hawaiian forest birds

The HI endemic family(Fringillidae, subfamily Drepanidinae), the "Hawaiian honeycreepers", in particular include species with a remarkable diversity of colors, shapes, and bill structures.














'Apapane(Himatione sanguinea)
photo by Oahu Nature Tours

Sadly, many species have seriously declined and are now extinct or endangered. Loss of habitat, a common issue around much of the world, has decreased many species.

Island ecosystems, by their very geographical nature, are quite fragile. Diseases and predation by introduced rats, mongoose, and feral cats are serious threats.

There are a variety of forest ecosystem that support the remaining honeycreepers. Dominated by trees as koa(Acacia koa), 'ohi'a(Metrosideros polymorpha), mamane(Sophora chrysophylla), and naio(Myoporum sandwicense)

Rainfall in native forest varies from less than 50" to more than 450" per year. Some forest birds are localized and rare, while others, like the 'Elepaio and 'Amakihi, are wide spread and occupy a variety of forest types.
O'ahu 'Amakihi(Hemignathus flavus)
photo by O'ahu Nature Tours

Other groups of passerine birds represented in Hawai'i's endemic avifauna include a genus of monarch flycatcher(Monarchidae), an old world warber (family Sylviidae), and thrushes(family Turdidae). There are others, but should be included in another post under another title, perhaps.


O'ahu 'Elepaio(Chasiempis sandwichensis ibidis)
genus monarch flycatcher (Monarchidae)
photo by O'ahu Nature Tours

The species that are illustrated here by photograph are ones that I pretty much plan(okay, hope) to see on a guided hike through a rain forest on O'ahu.

That is also why I included the threatened O'ahu subspecies of 'Elepaio, not a honeycreeper like the others, but a member of the monarch flycatcher family.

As one can imagine, I am very much looking forward to hunting for endemic(and often threated or endangered) O'ahu species before I fly out to work with squawking, scratching, largish seabirds in the French Frigate shoals.

Both experiences will be wonderful, just two slightly different shades of wonderment. The latter of which I'll be working 6 days a week.

My camera(a great device, but it isnt a Bazooka telescopic lensed dSLR) is loaded with plenty of gig space and charged battery packs. Paper and pencil at the ready.

I don't know how much I'll be able to update this site while out there.

Thanks to friends and family for your support.

One week away.

Mahalo Nui Loa and Aloha!