Oahu Elepaio
Chasiempis ibidis
A small flycatcher of forested habitats on Oahu. Adults are brown above, whitish below, and have white wingbars, rump, and tail tips. Immatures are reddish brown and have buffy wingbars. Uncommon and local on Oahu, more numerous in valleys. Bold and curious; not afraid of people and may follow hikers. Often holds tail cocked up at an angle. Male song is a shrill “El-eh-pie-oh” for which the species is named. Both sexes give a variety of soft calls and scolding notes. Responds to pishing and squeaking.
Identification
This species looks very similar to the Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio, but the white underside extends to the flanks and further up the breast, and the upper side – especially the head – is more rust-colored.
Taxonomy
The Oʻahu ʻelepaio was formerly considered a subspecies of the Hawaii ʻelepaio until reclassified as a separate species in 2010.
- Scientific name
- Chasiempis ibidis
- Authority
- Stejneger, 1887
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Monarchidae
- Genus
- Chasiempis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Cacicus haemorrhous
Large cacique with a long, slender ivory bill. Found in the canopy of humid forests and may make migratory movements tracking the rains. Entirely black apart from a red rump that may be hard to see when perched. Note the blue eyes. Nests in colonies and builds large pendulous nests. The song is variable, including loud whistles and a harsh “kak-kak-kak” alarm call.
Sombre Nightjar
Caprimulgus fraenatus
A medium-sized typical nightjar with a golden-buff collar. Both sexes have small pale marks in the outer wings and at the corners of the tail. These are larger and whiter on males, and smaller and more buffy in females. Generally local and uncommon in savanna and grassland habitats, often in rocky areas. Similar to Nubian Nightjar, but darker overall, with less rufous in the wings. Also similar to many other nightjars, and best identified by voice. Call is a high-pitched, mechanical trill, similar to that of Plain Nightjar, but slightly lower-pitched.
Buffy Tuftedcheek
Pseudocolaptes lawrencii
This striking cloud forest bird is only found in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. It is easily recognized by its buffy throat and neck. These feathers can be flared out when the bird is excited. Other plumage features include dark wings with buffy bars, mottled underparts, and cinnamon tail. Probes epiphytes or clumps of moss high up in large trees, and often accompanies mixed species flocks. Song is an energetic, decelerating series of notes often intermixed with squeaks; also gives sharp, metallic chips.
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