Raiatea Fruit-Dove

A large, long-winged petrel that appears mostly dark above and white below. The forehead is white and the underwings have a broad black diagonal bar. The flight is fast with high arcing turns. Nests in the mountains on several of the main Hawaiian Islands. At breeding colonies it is usually active only at night. Regularly observed offshore from boats and can be seen from shore at dusk in some areas. Calls include a long, low “uuuuu-wah-uuu,” and various sharp yaps and barks.

Fairly common, but easily overlooked, medium-sized woodcreeper of humid tropical forest; infrequently seen away from ant swarms. Found singly or in small groups, often with Ruddy and Northern Barred Woodcreepers at army ant swarms. Mainly perches upright on slender trunks fairly low to the ground, less often at middle levels; often rather sluggish. Combination of face pattern, contrasting rusty wings, and behavior is distinctive. Usually rather quiet; at times gives plaintive mew calls and a prolonged chipping rattled song.

Male is entirely snowy white with stout yellow bill. Female also has yellow bill, but body is entirely pale gray with obvious white edges on wing feathers. Rather chunky body with short tail and smoothly rounded head, large black eye. Flies with unique, slow and deep wingbeats. Distinctive in limited range. Found in canopy of forests and mangroves; often seen around fruiting trees. Frequently perches conspicuously. Quiet.