‘Amakihi

I lied.  Two posts this week cause I need to play catch up >____>U

‘Amakihi
Endemic
Hawai‘i: Hemignathus virens virens
O‘ahu: Hemignathus flavus
Kaua‘i: Hemignathus kauaiensis
Maui: Hemignathus virens wilsoni

There are four species within the state of Hawai‘i, one each on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, and the third, the Hawai‘i species, is dispersed throughout the islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, and Moloka‘i (it was formerly found on Lana‘i too).  I only have pictures of the Hawai‘i ‘Amakihi via my brother (who currently resides on the Big Island), but I will give you descriptions of the O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i ‘Amakihi as well. 

The ‘Amakihi can be most commonly found in elevations above 2000 feet, but on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i, they can be found at lower elevations.

These birds are about 4 1/2 inches, with differences between the sexes.  The males are "yellowish green above and yellow below" while the immatures and females are greenish gray and overall a duller color.  All ‘Amakihi have a decurved beak and dark lores, thogh the lores are less noticeable on females and juveniles.

They are the most common native forest birds, and are quite adaptable.  They forage for "nectar, fruit, and insects on a variety of native and introduced plant species. It sometimes forages creeper-like on trunks and large branches" (86).

The Hawai‘i ‘Amakihi is the brightest species out of the four, being mostly yellow below and possessing the largest black lores.  Immature birds are "drab grey and may lack dark lores, some have faint wingbars."  Can be confused with Hawai‘i Creeper.

Maui ‘Amakihi females and immatures "may show one faint wingbar. Often seen in small flocks".

The bill of the O‘ahu species is a little heavier than the Hawai‘i species.  The females and immature "have two bold wingbars. Easily confused with the very rare O‘ahu Creeper.  Found at low elevations, recently increasing in some suburban areas, such as Manoa".  So be on the lookout if you're in the area!

The Kaua‘i species is the biggest of all the four species.  It also has a "noticeably longer, heavier bill".  The males are an olive color above, with a dull yellow-green below.  "The forehead and crownmay be speckled with black." This species of ‘Amakihi can be seen "creeping along branches and hanging upside down while foraging for bark invertebrates."  Birdwatchers not from Kaua‘i mistake the Kaua‘i ‘Amakihi with the rarer Nukupu‘u.

White-Rumped Shama

As always, I'm late again with the posts :/

This week I'll be introducing you to a bird you might've seen around campus at some point or another!  And if you haven't, then you've probably heard it at some point.

White-Rumped Shama
Copsychus malabaricus
AKA Shama Thrush
Alien

The White-Rumped Shama is an alien to the islands of O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, the only two islands it inhabits here in Hawai‘i.   It's most commonly found in lowland alien forests, though it can also be found in native forests. In recent years, it has been reported on Maui and Moloka‘i. In 1931, it was intentionally introduced to Kaua‘i, and in 1940 it was released into the wild on O‘ahu.

 Its body size ranges from 9 to 11 inches, with variations between the sexes.  Males (pictured above) are a glossy black above with an orange ("chestnut" by the book) belly and the trademark white rump (rump refers to the feathers on the top of the tail above the butthole, excuse my poor choice of words here).  The have a "long graduated tail with white tips" (102).  Females, on the other hand, are a duller color, with dark grey above and an orange-yellow belly, along with a shorter tail.  "Both sexes have a dark bill and pink legs" (102). The immatures are "brown with a spotted breast, white rump,   and buffy wing bars; [they] can be mistaken for an ‘Elepaio" (102).

This bird has quite the voice!  "Considered by many to be the most gifted songster in the islands" (102).  It has a beautiful song that consists of a variety of loud clear whistles and phrases, though it often mimics other birds.

White-rumped Shamas can and are usually found in dense vegetation, but "are not shy and can be attracted by imitating their song or call" (102). The males are highly territorial, and will flick their tails to flash the white rump and spots on tail when agitated.  Shama's main diet are insects and fruit, which it feeds upon closer to the ground.  On KCC campus, I have often seen it in the banyan tree behind Lama library, and in the trees right below the stairs leading to Mokihana and Maile buildings.  Next time, try whistling to see if it'll come out!  The males are the easiest to spot; I myself have yet to see a female Shama.

Definitions

Hi guys! As I was writing my last entry, I realized that not everyone will understand some of the terminology I'm using.  If there's a word in the blog posts that you don't understand (and that I don't explain) please refer here!  If it's not here, leave a comment with your question and I will try to answer the best I can.

Endemic: A species (or subspecies) that can only be found in one place in the world (e.g. the Nene in Hawaii). Hawaii's Bird Definition: "Species and subspecies that evolved in Hawai‘i and are found nowhere else in the world." (7)

Indigenous: Species that can be found in multiple locations (Think of like the Laysan Albatross.  Or the Green Sea Turtle) Hawaii's Birds Definition: Species that arrived to the Islands unassisted by man and established breeding populations but that occur elsewhere in the world.

Alien: Species introduced to and established in Hawai‘i by man. (Like the mongoose or dogs).

Visitor/Migratory: Hawaii's Birds Def: Regular migrants, species that arrive in the fall to spend the winter in Hawai‘i and depart in spring(winter visitors) or pass through during migration (transient visitors).  Examples would be the Humpback Whale or the Kolea (Golden Plover).

Endangered: Species that have been put on the Federal list of Endangered Species, that have a high chance of becoming extinct.

I‘iwi

Ack!  I'm behind on my posts!  >3<  Although this weekend I honestly didn't have any internet… moving along!

Just a note, most of the information I will be sharing will come from the book "Hawai‘i's Birds" by the Hawaii Audubon Society.  Pictures will be from Forest and Star Kim's website (I will try and cite those properly when the time comes), from my own personal camera or it will be my brother's pictures.

Adult I‘iwi

Juvenile I‘iwi

The first bird I wanted to introduce you to is the i‘iwi (Vestiaria coccinea).   Found on all main islands except for Lana‘i, the i‘iwi are fairly common on the islands of Hawai‘i (aka the Big Island, to you locals), Maui and Kaua‘i.  However, they are listed as endangered on O‘ahu and Moloka‘i.  They are usually seen in native forests above 3500 feet, and are endemic to the islands.

The birds themselves are about 5 1/2 inches, with no discernible differences between the sexes.  Adults are a bright, scarlet red with black wings and tail.  They have a white patch on their "inner secondaries", which refers to the feathers closest to the body on the underside of the wing.  Aside from their trademark color, the i‘iwi are most famous for their long, curved beak, which is salmon-colored.  Juveniles, or babies/immature birds, are a buff color with black spots.  Their beaks are shorter and yellow, becoming the salmon color as they grow older.

The main food of the i‘iwi is the nectar of the ‘Ohia Lehua tree, but they will feed on other plants' nectar (such as the ‘akala and various lobelia) and eat insects.  In ancient times, the feathers of the i‘iwi were woven into the feather capes of the royalty, and as such they are referred to in ancient chants.

Welcome!  As described by the name, this blog will be about the birds that live in Hawai'i, be it a native species or one you see everyday.  I've always loved birds, and I feel that sharing my knowledge about them will be fun!  Hope you enjoy reading!