Critically Endangered or Extinct

The Hawaiian name for this species, Kaka-wahie, means "to break up firewood," which describes the chipping call of this beautiful bird. The call has not been heard, nor has the bird been seen since 1963. It is now either extremely rare or extinct.

Distribution: Reported to be common on both windward and leeward sides of Moloka`i in the 1890s, the Moloka`i Creeper was last sighted from the rainforest on the west rim of Pelekunu Valley on the Ohi`alele Plateau.

Description: Kaka-wahie is about 5 inches long and has a nearly straight bill. Males are a brilliant scarlet. Females are brown with some scarlet markingsp; also described as dark olive-brown, washed with orange. Juveniles resemble females.

Voice: Call notes are "chip," "chik," "cherk," and "sweet;" the song has not been described.

Nesting: Breeding biology is unknown. Nests were found in 1908, but the only description given was that the exterior of the nest was composed of moss. Nests of the Maui Creeper, constructed of leaves and moss, were found in `ohi`a and kolea trees more than 10 feet above the ground. The clutch size appears to be two eggs.

Diet: The Moloka`i Creeper forages for insects by creeping along large branches, often hanging upside down to feed. Perhaps, like the Maui Creeper, it also visits the canopy of `ohi`a trees to sip nectar from lehua blossoms.

Conservation Note: There are five species of creepers; the Kaua`i and Hawai`i species are relatively common and belong to the same genus. The Maui, Moloka`i and O`ahu species belong to another genus. The Maui species is relatively common, but the O`ahu and Moloka`i Creepers are extremely rare or extinct.

The browsing activities of axis deer, pigs, and cattle have eliminated several thousand acres of `ohi`a forests on east Moloka`i. Axis deer were introduced as a gift to Kamehameha V in 1868. Little did the bearers of this gift, the Hawaiian consul in Hong Kong, know of the havoc the deer would wreak on the native forests and their inhabitants. In addition, avian diseases, transmitted by mosquitoes are suspected to have contributed to the Moloka`i Creepers demise. Whether this rare bird has found refuge in the lush `ohi`a forests high on the rugged slopes of east Moloka`i is unknown.