HawaiʻI ʻAmakihi

chlorodrepanis virens

The Hawaiʻi ʻAmakihi is one of the most common and resilient of the remaining native Hawaiian honeycreepers. Found primarily on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Molokaʻi, this small, active bird plays a vital role in its ecosystem as both a pollinator and an insect predator. While many other Hawaiian forest birds have suffered drastic population declines due to introduced diseases, the Hawaiʻi ʻAmakihi has shown a remarkable ability to adapt, with some populations developing resistance to avian malaria and returning to lower elevations.

Habitat: Typically found in native Hawaiian forests, particularly wet, mesic, and dry woodlands dominated by ʻōhiʻa lehua and koa trees.

Appearance

The Hawaiʻi ʻAmakihi is a small, compact bird measuring about 10 to 12 centimeters in length. Males are a bright yellow-green on their heads and breasts, fading to a duller olive-green on their backs and wings, with a distinct dark mask or smudge between the eye and the bill. Females and juveniles are much duller, displaying a drab, olive-gray coloration with subtle wing-bars. Its most defining physical feature is its short, sharply decurved, dark-colored bill, which is perfectly adapted for probing flowers and bark.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyFringillidaeGenusChlorodrepanis

HawaiʻI ʻAmakihi

Interesting facts

It is a highly vocal species, using its distinctive buzzy call to defend feeding territories from other birds, including larger honeycreepers.

Its tongue is curled into a tube-like shape and fringed at the tip, acting like a straw for extracting nectar.

The Hawaiʻi ʻAmakihi is one of the very few native forest birds in Hawaii that is successfully adapting to and colonizing low-elevation habitats where mosquito-borne avian malaria is rampant.

Special abilities

Unlike most other native Hawaiian honeycreepers, some low-elevation populations have evolved a genetic tolerance to avian malaria, allowing them to survive in areas where other species perish.

Possesses a specialized, brush-tipped tubular tongue that can curl to efficiently lap up nectar from native tubular flowers.

Highly agile flyer and climber, capable of foraging upside down along tree trunks, branches, and leaves in search of small insects.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-12 cm
Wingspan: 15-18 cm
Weight: 0.01-0.02 kg
Lifespan: 3-10 years
Top Speed: 35 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-4
Incubation: 13-14 days

Diet & Feeding

Feeds primarily on nectar from native flowers and small invertebrates gleaned from foliage and bark, occasionally eating fruit.

Primary Foods

Nectar from ʻŌhiʻa lehua flowers
Spiders
Caterpillars
Insects
Native fruits

Foraging Method

Foraging Gleaning And Nectar Sipping From Native Plants And Trees By Climbing And Probing Bark Crevices And Flower Tubes Using Their Specialized Decurved Bills And Tongues