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Akepa - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 09:17, 27 June 2014 by Deliatodd-18346 (talk | contribs) (Similar species. References updated.)
Photo by bkrownd
Hakalau Forest NWR, Hawaii Island.
Loxops coccineus

Identification

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

Similar Species

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-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

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.

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

'akepa were extirpated from Maui in the 1980's or 1990's.

Taxonomy

Subspecies

There are 3 subspecies[1]:

  • L. c. coccineus:
  • Montane ohia and koa forests of Hawaii
  • L. c. wolstenholmei:
  • Formerly montane ohia and koa forests on Oahu. Extinct ca 1900
  • L. c. ochraceus :
  • Montane ohia and koa forests of Maui. Probably extinct

Habitat

'akepa 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.

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

Behaviour

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

Vocalisation

'Akepa 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 Hawai'i 'amakihi.

Breeding

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

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. BF Member observations

Recommended Citation

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