Omao

Overview

The ʻōmaʻo (Myadestes obscurus), also known as the Hawaiian thrush, is a robin-like bird endemic to the island of Hawaii. It is the most common of the Hawaiian thrushes, with an estimated population of 170,000 individuals, though it is classified as Near Threatened due to its limited range.

Identification

• Adults are mostly undistinguished, featuring a grayish-brown head that transitions to pale gray below, with dull olive-brown backs and primaries.
• Whitish vents and undertail coverts are visible, while juveniles display pale whitish-buff spotting on the wing coverts.
• Males and females are similar in appearance.
• The song consists of jerky, liquid notes described as "whip-per-weeo-whip-per-weet," accompanied by calls resembling a catlike rasp, froglike croak, or high-pitched police whistle.

Habitat

Found primarily in rainforests on the eastern and southeastern regions of the Big Island, the ʻōmaʻo is restricted to the southern and eastern slopes, mostly over 1,000 metres above sea level. It inhabits preferred trees such as ohia and koa, and can be found in high shrublands on Mauna Loa, while avoiding areas with the invasive banana poka vine.

Diet

These birds are mostly frugivores, though they also consume insects and other small invertebrates.

Did you know?

In lower elevations, the ʻōmaʻo appears to be gaining a natural resistance to avian malaria, despite threats from introduced feral animals and habitat destruction.