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Difference between revisions of "Hawaii Akepa" - BirdForum Opus

(Imp sizes. Some extra info. Basic tidy-up. References updated)
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====Similar Species====
 
====Similar Species====
 
[[Image:44104P1140492 sharp.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female<br />Photo by {{user|bkrownd|bkrownd}}<br />3 mile kipuka, Powerline Road, Eastern Saddle, [[Hawaii]], January 2007]]
 
[[Image:44104P1140492 sharp.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female<br />Photo by {{user|bkrownd|bkrownd}}<br />3 mile kipuka, Powerline Road, Eastern Saddle, [[Hawaii]], January 2007]]
From a distance the female 'akepa looks similar to the numerous other "little green birds" on the island, but is vastly outnumbered by the abundant [[Hawaii Amakihi]] and [[Japanese White-eye]]s. The habitat and foraging habits of all the "little green birds" are very similar, as well.
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From a distance the female 'akepa looks similar to the numerous other "little green birds" on the island, but is vastly outnumbered by the abundant [[Hawaii Amakihi]] and [[Warbling White-eye]]s. The habitat and foraging habits of all the "little green birds" are very similar, as well.
  
 
Her breast has the orange tinge of an 'akepa, and she lacks the black lores of the Hawai'i 'amakihi or the "raccoon mask" of the [[Hawaii Creeper]].
 
Her breast has the orange tinge of an 'akepa, and she lacks the black lores of the Hawai'i 'amakihi or the "raccoon mask" of the [[Hawaii Creeper]].
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The 'akepa nests in natural cavities in tree trunks or branches.
 
The 'akepa nests in natural cavities in tree trunks or branches.
 
==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}#BF Member observations
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug17}}#BF Member observations
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Loxops+coccineus}}
 
{{GSearch|Loxops+coccineus}}
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Loxops]]
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Loxops]]

Latest revision as of 18:54, 25 August 2020

Photo by bkrownd
Hakalau Forest NWR, Hawaii Island.
Loxops coccineus

Identification

10 cm (4 in)
Adult males are a bright orange

  • Bill slightly crossed at tip

Females and juvenile males are grey and green, with an orange breast.

Similar Species

Female
Photo by bkrownd
3 mile kipuka, Powerline Road, Eastern Saddle, Hawaii, January 2007

From a distance the female 'akepa looks similar to the numerous other "little green birds" on the island, but is vastly outnumbered by the abundant Hawaii Amakihi and Warbling White-eyes. The habitat and foraging habits of all the "little green birds" are very similar, as well.

Her breast has the orange tinge of an 'akepa, and she lacks the black lores of the Hawai'i 'amakihi or the "raccoon mask" of the Hawaii Creeper.

Distribution

Juvenile Male?
Photo by bkrownd
3 mile Kipuka, Powerline Road, Mauna Loa kipuka mosaic, Hawaii, May 2008

Hawaii Island. 'Akepa are most densely concentrated in the Pua 'Akala tract of Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge on the windward slope of Mauna Kea, and along the upper edge of the Ka'u forest reserve on the South slope of Mauna Loa. Reforestation efforts in the Keauhou Ranch and Kulani Correctional Facility properties on the upper windward slope of Mauna Loa will improve another important population center. They can occasionally be observed just North of this area in large kipukas on the Mauna Loa-Mauna Kea saddle, along Powerline Road.

Small pockets of 'akepa persisted until recent decades in central Kona on the leeward slope of Mauna Loa, and on the North slope of Hualalai.


Taxonomy

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

Habitat

They prefer to live near large old trees that have natural nesting cavities, and are usually found in mixed koa-'ohi'a forests at 4000-7000 feet elevation. The 'akepa forages for insects in the crowns of 'ohi'a trees, using the crossed tips of its bill to open budding leaves.

Behaviour

They forage in small groups, or seasonally join mixed species foraging flocks. They are usually found near the upper surface of the canopy.

Diet

Their diet consists mainly of invertebrates, such as caterpillars, spiders and planthoppers.

Vocalisation

They have a high weak voice.
The male's song is a short weak descending trill, of variable tempo which often slows midway through.
Juvenile begging calls are a descending "zeer", higher pitched than the similar begging call of the Hawaii Amakihi.

Breeding

The 'akepa nests in natural cavities in tree trunks or branches.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. BF Member observations

Recommended Citation

External Links

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