From Opus

The species Greater Akialoa is extinct.

Hemignathus ellisianus

[edit] Identification

Its impressively long, curved bill was used to probe for insects in cracks, moss and rotting wood. Like other Hemignathus species it had black lores, and was green and yellow.

[edit] Distribution

Extinct. The O'ahu subspecies of 'akialoa was last collected in 1837, with only rumored sightings until about 1940. The Kauai subspecies was the last 'akialoa to go extinct, persisting in the 'alakai swamp region until at least its final sighting in 1967.

[edit] Taxonomy

The O'ahu and Kauai subspecies have been proposed as a split, with the Kauai form to be known as H. stejnegeri. The status of the third subspecies H. e. lanaiensis is uncertain.

[edit] Habitat

Endemic to koa-ohia forest in the mountains of Hawai'i, USA.

[edit] External Links