Hemignathus
| Hemignathus | |
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| Hemignathus lucidus | |
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| Genus: | Hemignathus (but see text) Lichtenstein, 1839
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see text | |
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Akialoa | |
Hemignathus is a Hawaiian honeycreeper genus in the finch family, Fringillidae. These birds are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
Many of its species became extinct during the 19th and 20th centuries due to a combination of habitat destruction, introduced predators, and most importantly mosquito-borne diseases. Some others became extinct in prehistoric times, when Polynesian settlers deforested the lowlands for agriculture.
Systematics
(Sub)Genus Hemignathus sensu stricto - pointed or long and downcurved bills, insectivores or nectarivores. The Nukupu‘u:
- Giant nukupu‘u, Hemignathus vorpalis - prehistoric
- Maui nukupuʻu Hemignathus affinis - probably extinct (late 1990s?)
- Oʻahu nukupuʻu Hemignathus lucidus - extinct (1837)
- Kauaʻi nukupuʻu Hemignathus hanapepe - probably extinct (late 1990s?)
(Sub)Genus Heterorhynchus - long and downcurved upper and short and stout lower bill, probes for insects
- ʻAkiapolaʻau, Heterorhynchus wilsoni
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