Hawaii Creeper
Loxops mana
A small, rare Hawaiian honeycreeper of native forests above 5,000 feet elevation on Hawaii Island. Its black mask is broader than that of the male amakihis. The bill is straighter than that of Amakihi, but longer than that of Hawaii Akepa. Searches for insects by creeping on tree trunks and branches, usually high in the forest canopy. May join mixed-species foraging flocks from late summer through the winter. Song is a trill that descends in pitch; several songs usually given in succession. Call is a soft “squeet.”
Identification
The Hawaiʻi creeper, Hawaii creeper or alawī (Loxops mana) is a species of Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Its natural habitats are dry forests and montane moist forests at elevations of 1,000–2,300 metres (3,300–7,500 ft). There are a total of 12,000 birds separated into three populations. A fourth population on the western part of the island probably represents migratory birds from one of the existing population. The Hawaiʻi creeper measures 4.5 inches (11 cm) and has drab green plumage. In 2017 the traditional Hawaiian name was rediscovered as alawī.
Taxonomy
Genus: Loxops; Family: Fringillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Loxops mana
- Authority
- (Wilson, SB, 1891)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Loxops
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blackish Pewee
Contopus nigrescens
Small, uniformly dark pewee, elusive in the canopy of humid forests, often at higher elevations in Andean foothills but also apparently patchily in Amazonian lowlands. Usually found perching upright at the top of tall trees. Call is a high “peep” like Tropical Pewee, sometimes double-noted.
Siberian Jay
Perisoreus infaustus
A charismatic inhabitant of northern coniferous forests, especially old growth lichen-rich ones. Dusky-brown and gray body with cinnamon on sides of tail, rump and on patches of the upper wing. Usually quiet. Feeds on seeds, berries, carrion, small insects also takes eggs and young of small birds. Often accepts food handouts from humans and can be quite tame.
Red-and-white Antpitta
Grallaria erythroleuca
Fairly large antpitta of montane habitats. Rusty orange with a white throat and a lighter white or gray belly. Forages on the ground in dense undergrowth in upper montane forest, elfin forest, and humid scrub above the treeline. Often a fairly common bird, but reclusive and much more often heard than seen; listen for an even-paced and slightly descending series of a few whistled notes: “pee, per, pur,” easily imitated.
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