Kauai Nukupuu

The species Kauai Nukupuu is possibly extinct.

Hemignathus hanapepe

Identification

Very scarce by the end of the 19th century, and believed to be extinct. Never photographed. Infrequent sightings throughout the 20th century remain controversial.

Nukupu'u are striking heterobills, with the upper half of their strongly decurved bills about twice as long as the lower half. 14-15cm long. Typical hemignathine coloration, similiar to closely related species of 'amakihi and 'akiapola'au. Males have greenish backs and bright yellow head, throat and breast, with paler yellow to white undertail coverts. Females and juveniles are more white and drab grey and green. Black lores.

Distribution

Island of Kauai, Hawaii.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
Formerly regarded conspecific with Oahu Nukupuu and Maui Nukupuu.

Habitat

Dense wet forest.

Behaviour

The lower beak is used to tap branches and dig at bark in search of wood boring beetles and moth larvae, while the long upper bill allows it do spear its prey and extract it from holes.

Diet included nectar, insects and spiders.

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Kauai Nukupuu. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Kauai_Nukupuu

External Links

Search for photos of Kauai Nukupuu in the gallery