Hawaiʻi ʻākepa
The Hawaii ākepa is an endangered ākepa native to Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. The three ākepa species were considered monotypic before being split by the NACC of the AOU in 2015. The Hawaii ākepa was first collected by western science during Captain James Cook's third voyage around the world. Several specimens were collected, as well as feather leis constructed by Hawaiian artisans. The specimens were classified when brought back to England several years later. The Latin name of the bird, Loxops coccineus, means "crossed" and "red".
Description
It is a four-inch long bird of a dusty green color. Males are bright orange. It has a small cross bill just like the other Loxops species. Its call is a slight quivering whistle ending with a long trill.
Distribution and habitat
The Hawaii ākepa survives only in two or three locations, all on the island of Hawaii: one population in Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, one in the upper forest areas of Kaʻū, and one on the northern slope of Hualālai. As of 2000, about 14,000 Hawaii ākepa remained. They were listed as an endangered species in 1975.
Feeding
It eats spiders and other invertebrates and drinks the nectar of several flowers including the nectar of the ōhia, the naio and the lobelia.
Breeding
These birds have a breeding season in spring. The Hawaii ākepa is the only obligate cavity-nester in Hawaii. There are no cavity-making birds in Hawaii. Thus, the ākepa must find naturally occurring cavities in the trunks and branches. Such cavities are generally found only in very large, old trees, making the ākepa an old-growth obligate. Large courtship groups have been observed during the breeding season, which is curious because this species makes permanent bonds. Another anomaly is the fact that for such a small bird, it does not lay many eggs—usually one or two, instead of the three to five of other similarly sized species.
Disease
Surviving ākepa live only in old growth forest above elevation. This is a sign that avian malaria and avian pox have played a role in killing off populations of ākepa at lower elevations. These introduced diseases are implicated in more than 20 bird extinctions in Hawaii since 1826, when the first mosquito species was introduced to the islands. Disease continues to be a threat and could result in extinction of the ākepa if Hawaiian climate continues to warm.
Due to their need for tree cavities, ākepa rely on old-growth ōhia and koa forests for nesting. Although the largest populations of ākepa live within protected lands, large trees appear to be falling faster than they are replaced. It is unclear how management can deal with this in the medium-term, except by use of artificial nest boxes. Past experiments with nest boxes have shown that birds will occasionally use them, with high nesting success. There is no ongoing research or use of nest boxes for ākepa as of 2010.