Oahu Amakihi

Overview

The Oʻahu ʻamakihi (Chlorodrepanis flava) is a species of Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi. It is likely the only surviving honeycreeper species exclusive to that island and is currently classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Males display rich yellow plumage below, sharply contrasted with greenish upper parts.
• Females appear duller in colour and possess two prominent wing-bars.
• The bird has a total length of approximately 4.5 inches (11 cm).
• Its specialized bill shape allows it to scrape pieces of bark off trees.

Habitat

Found in the wetter southern areas of Oʻahu, particularly in the valleys near Wahiawa and Mililani, as well as in the Honouliuli Preserve and Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area. It primarily occupies native habitats dominated by koa trees but has adapted to non-native forest types and wooded urban areas. It mainly occurs at altitudes above 1,650 feet (500 m), though it can be found in lower elevations in certain valleys.

Diet

The bird drinks nectar from ʻōhiʻa lehua trees and, on rare occasions, uses sugar feeders. It obtains its protein by scraping off pieces of bark with its bill to reach the insects living within or beneath it.

Did you know?

Some populations have developed a level of resistance to avian malaria, which may explain their recent expansion into lowland areas where mosquitoes are more prevalent.