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East Maui Forest Birds |
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`Akohekohe Also known as the Crested Honey-creeper, `Akohekohe used to be found on Moloka`i and other parts of Maui but are now found only on the windward slope of Haleakala from 4,500 feet to 6,500 feet. Perhaps the most showy of the Hawaiian forest birds, the `akohekohe has black feathers tipped with gray and orange, orange feathers at the back of its neck, and a distinctive white or golden crest of feathers above its shiny black beak. `Akohekohe feed primarily on the nectar from `ohi`a blossoms but will also take nectar from other plants and will eat insects. |
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`Alauahio
Also known as the Maui Creeper, this small, 4 to 5-inch bird is found only on East Maui, where it is relatively common in native forests above 4,500 feet. The males are bright yellow and the females a grayish-green. Their sharp pointed beaks are used for finding insects among the leaves and branches. |
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Maui Parrotbill Parrotbills are found only on East Maui on the northern slope of Haleakala from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. They are 4 to 5 inches long with a large, parrotlike beak. The males are olive-green with a yellow throat and a yellow stripe over the eye. Females are not as brightly colored and have smaller bills. The strong beak of the Maui Parrotbill is used to break apart wood; then the upper bill and tongue are used to pry out insect larvae. |
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`Amakihi The `Amakihi is one of the most abundant birds in the Hawaiian forests, but it prefers drier forests and can be seen at lower elevations searching for insects and nectar. In general, male `Amakihi are about 5 inches long and yellowish-green with a black stripe over the eye. The bill is gray and slightly curved. Females are a duller color. |
