#kaua'i 'akialoa

[lowcountry-gothic]

Hawaiian Birds, by Michelle Cheng.

[nearcrested]

On September 30, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has proposed to de-list 23 species and declare them extinct. Official government source here. Remember that its evaluations may differ from IUCN.

This is PART 2 focusing on Hawaiian birds. Many Hawaiian bird species have gone extinct due to habitat destruction, bad weather from climate change, and introduced species and diseases. The history and extinction of these species will be expanded upon below!

If you can, please support conservation efforts to save the species that remain!

Akialoa stejnegeri (Kauai ʻakialoa) was a honeycreeper that declined due to habitat loss and due to diseases spread by mosquitos introduced in 1826; the last confirmed sighting was in 1967. (image)

Hemignathus hanapepe (Kauaʻinukupuʻu) was a honeycreeper that lost its habitat from slash-and-burn farming and was likely extinct by the early 1900s. ICUN lists it as critKauaʻi nukupuʻuically endangered, possibly extinct. (image)

Hemignathus affinis (Maui nukupuʻu) declined in the 1900s and the last confirmed sighting was in 1994; there have been alleged sightings since then, but they are usually other similar species. ICUN lists it as critically endangered, possibly extinct. (image)

Loxops ochraceus (Maui ʻakepa) was once common in Maui but declined from the impact of introduced plants and animals, and the avian flue from introduced mosquitoes. The last known sighting was of a lone individual in 1988. ICUN lists it as critically endangered, possibly extinct. (image)

Paroreomyza flammea (kākāwahie) was a honeycreeper that was trapped by Native Hawaiians for its bright feathers, but mostly declined from the same reasons as the other birds above. (image)

Moho braccatus (Kauaʻi ʻōʻō) declined due to habitat destruction and invasive species such as the rat, pig, and mosquito. They were last seen in 1985 and the last song recording of a lone male was taken in 1987. (image)

Myadestes myadestinus (kāmaʻo) was a thrush that was once common on Kaua'i, but was mostly wiped out by the early 1800s from habitat destruction and avian malaria carried by introduced mosquitoes; the last probable sighting was in 1989. (image)

Melamprosops phaeosoma (poʻo-uli) declined rapidly since 1945 from introduced species and avian malaria, and despite attempts to protect and breed them, the last few individuals died around 2004. (image)

[lowcountry-gothic]

Kaua'i 'akialoa, by Simon Walker.