October 28, 2014 – ‘Akohekohe or Crested Honeycreeper (Palmeria dolei)

Requested by: coramatus

These rare Hawaiian birds are found only in a small area on Haleakala volcano on Maui. They previously lived on more of Maui, as well as on Molokai, but invasive species and avian malaria have greatly reduced their population. They are classified as Critically Endangered with their population currently estimated at around 3,800 birds. Nectar makes up most of their diet, particularly from ‘ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) flowers.