Hawaii amakihi

Hemignathus virens

Photo by Chuck Babbitt (Photo.net)

Common name:
Hawaii amakihi (en); amakigi-do-Hawai (pt); amakihi familier (fr); amakiji hawaiano (es); amakihi (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Drepanididae


Range:
This species is endemic to the island of Hawaii.


Size:
These birds are 10 cm long and weigh 13-15 g.


Habitat:
The Hawaii amakihi is found in all types of habitat of the island, namely tropical moist forests, tropical dry forests and plantations. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 2.400 m.


Diet:
They mostly eat nectar from various flowers, namely Metrosideros polymorpha, Rubus hawaiensis and Sophora chrysophylla. They also suck juices from fruits and hunt spiders and insects.


Breeding:
Hawai amakihis breed in January-March. The nest is an open cup, made of woven plant fibres and placed in a tree. The female lays 1-3 eggs, which she incubates alone for 14 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge around 17 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a restricted breeding range, but it is described as locally common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, and they are known to be less affected by habitat change than most other Hawaian endemics.