Critically Endangered

In 1973 students participating in the Hana Rainforest Project from the University of Hawai`i discovered a grayish, cinnamon brown bird in the dense `ohi`a forests on the northeast slope of Haleakala. This rare bird, now known as the Po`o-uli, had never been described before. The excitement following its discovery was coupled with the somber realization that so much remains to be learned about Hawaiian natural history.

Distribution: Po`o-uli have been recorded in the upper Hanawi and Kuhiwa watersheds on the northeast slopes of Haleakala from 4,600 to 6,700 feet in elevation.

Description: The Po`o-uli is dark grayish brown above with cinnamon-brown on the neck and back; underparts are buff colored washed with brown. A white throat is contrasted by a black mask extending across the forehead, chin, and eyes. The bill is black; feet and legs are dark brown. Sexes are similar and 5.25 inches in length.

Voice: Calls are similar to those of the Maui Parrotbill and Maui Creeper and described as a harsh repetitive "chick" and "wh-whit."

Nesting: A pair was discovered building a nest in March 1986. No formal description of nests, eggs, and young has yet been given. Fledgings have been sighted in August.

Diet: Po`o-uli appear to feed primarily on small snails and beetles, but may also eat a variety of insects and larvae. They forage on branches or thin trunks in the understory of the `ohi`a rainforest.

Conservation Note: There are only three birds known existing.

Disturbances to their former and present habitat are probably responsible for their decline. Most of the dry and mesic forests on Maui up to 5,000 feet elevation have been cleared for timber, cattle ranching, or agriculture. The present habitat of wet `ohi`a forest is threatened by damage from feral pigs and ungulates. The rooting of pigs disturbs the understory of the forest, destroying microhabitats that are critical to the survival of the snails and insects that may make up the Po`o-uli's diet. Avian diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are a limiting factor as well.

If birds like the Po`o-uli are to be saved from extinction, their habitat must be managed to maintain or reestablish native vegetation, and further research must be conducted to better understand reasons for their decline.