Kauai Amakihi
Chlorodrepanis stejnegeri
An uncommon Hawaiian honeycreeper of forests on Kauai. Males are bright yellow and females are grayer. Larger and thicker-billed than amakihis on other islands. Occurs in native forest above 3,000 feet elevation in the understory and forest canopy where it searches for nectar, insects, and fruit. Song is a trill that does not change in pitch or speed. Call is a nasal “chee.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Chlorodrepanis stejnegeri
- Authority
- (Wilson, SB, 1890)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Chlorodrepanis
Range and habitat
This species is endemic to the island of Kauaʻi The Kaua‘i ‘amakihi resides in the higher elevations of the Kaua‘i mountains usually above 600 meters in elevation. They previously occurred at lower elevations, but due to the loss of habitat, are now mostly found at elevations higher than 600 meters in mountainous areas. They are known to be around ‘ōhi‘a and koa trees. They are especially common in ōhi'a trees where they often nest and in ōhi'a forests. They can be spotted at Waimea Canyon, Nā Pali Plateau, Alaka‘i Swamp, and Makaleha Mountains.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The Kauaʻi ʻamakihi has been categorized as vulnerable by Bird Life International. While their population numbers have been steady, like other honeycreepers, the Kauaʻi ʻamakihi is threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, and avian malaria, but has not been affected as strongly as other species in the subfamily.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Lichenostomus melanops
A small to medium-sized honeyeater with a bright yellow chin and crown and bold black cheeks. Note the namesake small yellow tufts behind the ear. Gregarious and usually seen in groups; often aggressive towards other birds. Typically found in woodland areas around the southeast parts of Australia.
Asian Glossy Starling
Aplonis panayensis
Fierce-looking, large songbird with a thick, decurved bill. Adult dark with greenish gloss in good light. Juvenile dark gray-brown above with a heavily streaked white belly. Most have ruby-red eyes, but birds in the central and southern Nicobar Islands have pale irises. Prefers urban and suburban areas; a common sight in cities, towns, parks, and farmland areas. Frequently seen perching on telephone wires, fence posts, and buildings, often in very large, noisy flocks. Native to Southeast and South Asia; introduced to Taiwan, where fairly common.
White-tufted Honeyeater
Lichmera squamata
A drab olive-brown sparrow-sized songbird with a downcurved bill, dark speckling on the chest, and a small white cheek patch. Juvenile lacks speckling and has pink cheek skin. Noisy groups inhabit lowland habitats, including forest, mangroves, cultivated areas, and scrub. Confined to the eastern Lesser Sundas and the Tanimbar and Kai Islands. Differs from Indonesian Honeyeater in the speckling on the breast and the white facial mark. Calls include a coarse, incessant “tutututututututututu…”, “chup” and “chirrup” notes, and sharp “kwit” calls.
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