Anianiau
Magumma parva
A small Hawaiian honeycreeper of high elevation native forests on Kauai. Males are bright yellow and females are yellowish green. Smaller than the Kauai Amakihi with a straighter bill and without the faint black line between the bill and the eye. Moves quickly and incessantly in the understory and forest canopy in search of nectar, insects, and fruit. Fairly common in more remote areas of the eastern Alakai Plateau; uncommon to rare in the western Alakai and Kokee State Park. Song is a trill consisting of paired notes “weesee-weesee-weesee.” Call is a soft upslurred “su-weet.”
Identification
The 'anianiau is a brightly plumaged yellow bird and at 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in length, the smallest Hawaiian honeycreeper. The ʻanianiau has a slightly curved bill and a mass of about 10 g. The plumage of the female is more uniform and has a duller yellow-green color than the male's bright yellow. Its call is a pair of notes, tew-weet, while its song is a trill of wee-see, wee-see, wee-see.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Magumma parva
- Authority
- (Stejneger, 1887)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Magumma
Range and habitat
ʻAnianiau are found in mesic and wet forests at elevations above 600 m (2,000 ft). The highest densities occur above 1,100 m (3,600 ft). Dominant tree species in its habitat include koa (Acacia koa), ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), ʻōlapa (Cheirodendron trigynum), and lapalapa (C. platyphyllum).
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The range of the ʻanianiau has contracted by 85%, as it previously could be found in all forests of Kauai. Habitat degradation and invasion by non-native plants are the most significant threats to this species. Mosquito-transmitted diseases, such as avian malaria and fowlpox, are very rarely observed in captured ʻanianiau, so they may not be a major cause of mortality. Predation by rats and cats is possible but has not been documented. This species is protected in the Alakai Wilderness Preserve and surrounding environs as well as Waimea Canyon and Kokeʻe State Parks.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Willard's Sooty Boubou
Laniarius willardi
Mid-sized bushshrike that is completely black with pale blue-gray eyes. Found in the undergrowth of humid forest at moderate elevations. A skilled skulker that is most often detected by voice. The most distinctive vocalization is a series of four bell-like whistles; also gives low scolding notes. Very similar to Albertine Boubou, but prefers lower-elevation forest and has a pale eye.
Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher
Todiramphus australasia
A handsome forest kingfisher with a blue-green back, rich cinnamon underparts, a broad cinnamon eyebrow and collar, a wide blackish line through the eye, and a dark cap. Juvenile duller, with a white-tipped bill, a mottled breast, and scaling on some wing feathers. Inhabits forest and forest edge in lowlands and lower hills, rarely wandering into local gardens. Distinguished from Sacred and Collared Kingfishers by its almost completely umber-colored underside and its broad brow. Its swift, descending trill, “keeeerrrrer,” is often heard, as is its harsh “krrrreee-kreeee” notes and its yapping calls.
Tepui Vireo
Vireo sclateri
Small, arboreal bird of tepui highlands. Olive-gray above and yellowish below, with a gray head, pinkish bill, and pale eye. One of the most widespread tepui endemics, it occurs in both tall and stunted forest on tepui slopes and on isolated formations at elevations as low as 500 meters. Forages actively, searching foliage for insects and often joining mixed-species flocks. Usually heard before it is seen. Song is a distinctive two-parted whistle, with varying degrees of inflection, the second note lower-pitched. Also gives harsh scold notes like other vireos. Most similar to Lemon-chested Greenlet but has very different voice and occurs at higher elevations.
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