ʻAkepa
| ʻAkepa | |
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| Oʻahu ʻakepa | |
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The ʻakepa (Loxops sp.) are a group of one of the smallest Hawaiian forest birds, at four inches long and weighing 10 grams. They are placed in the genus Loxops. Previously considered the same taxa, the group was split into distinct species by the NACC of the AOU in 2015. Found only in high elevation old growth rainforest, these nonmigratory passerines have rounded heads, black eyes, and black wings and tail. Adult males sport one of the most brilliant orange colors found in any bird, a plumage which takes four years to develop. Females are greenish gray on back, lighter gray on front, with varying amounts of yellow and sometimes pale orange on the breast and belly. Juveniles appear similar to females, though are generally duller in color.
All ʻakepa have an unusual cross-bill. When closed, the upper bill tip slightly overlaps the lower bill tip to one side (this cannot be seen in the field). When opening the bill, as in prying open leaf buds to extract small caterpillars, the bills swing dramatically sideways, and this is easily seen in the hand. Some birds cross one way, and some the other, apparently randomly. The ʻakepa cross-bill operates similarly to that in the North American crossbills (genus Loxia), but is much less obvious when the bill is closed.
ʻAkepa are usually found from 1,500 to 2,200 meters above sea level. They are non-territorial, and group male displays have often been observed in the beginning of the breeding season. They participate in mixed-species flocks during the non-breeding season. They are highly endangered. ʻAkepa is a Hawaiian term meaning "agile", befitting their active foraging at branch tips.
Taxonomy
The akepa (Loxops coccineus) is divided into three species, only one of which, the Hawaiʻi ʻakepa, can be found today:
- Hawaiʻi ʻakepa, Loxops coccineus
- Maui ʻakepa, Loxops ochraceus - extinct (1988)
- Oʻahu ʻakepa, Loxops wolstenholmei - extinct (1990s)
The ‘akeke‘e is sometimes called the "Kauai ʻakepa", (and is given the scientific name Loxops caeruleirostris).
Distribution and relatives
- Loxops coccineus: The Hawaiʻi ʻakepa survives only in two or three locations, all on the island of Hawaii: one population in Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (on the Hamakua Coast of Mauna Kea), one in the upper forest areas of Kau (in the southern part of the island), and one on the northern slope of Hualālai (perhaps extirpated).
- Loxops wolstenholmei: The Oahu ʻakepa was found in large numbers until the 1890s. Immediately afterward, a sharp drop in its numbers was noted. Many feel that it had disappeared by the 1920s; however, scattered, unconfirmed reports were posted in the 1990s. This subspecies' male was brick red in coloration, while the female was dark gray.
- Loxops ochraceus: The Maui ʻakepa was found on the mountain of Haleakalā in east Maui. This population was detected at low numbers until 1992, when the last sighting was documented. There are still reports of green yellow birds flying in the remote reserve, so there may be individuals remaining, but this is very unlikely as dedicated intensive surveys have failed to confirm any Maui ʻakepa.
- Loxops caeruleirostris: The akeke’e, or Kauai ʻakepa, was once thought to a subspecies of L. coccineus, but was evident in the 1990s that this bird was different in coloring, nesting, songs and degree of sexual dimorphism.
Diet
The group is highly dependent on ʻōhiʻa lehua trees and koa trees for food. The bills are specialized for opening ʻōhiʻa lehua leaf buds in search of small caterpillars. Fretz (2002) suggests that this food source is only found in old-growth Hawaiian forests and could be one factor in ʻakepa population declines. The lehua (or blossom) of the ʻōhiʻa tree provides a source of nectar that this bird consumes occasionally. The koa tree's cracked bark serves as a home for many insects and arthropods that the ʻakepa finds delectable.
Two of the three species of ʻakepa are extinct or probably extinct. As of 2000, about 14,000 Hawaiʻi ʻakepa remained. They were listed as an endangered species in 1975.
References
- Species factsheet - BirdLife International