‘I’iwi

Description

The ‘iʻiwi is a brilliant scarlet red honeycreeper, about 6 inches in length. They have black wings, a black tail, and a conspicuous peach-colored decurved bill. The ʻiʻiwiʻs bright colors and unique bill make them one of the most recognizable honeycreepers. Their long decurved bill is perfectly adapted to feeding on long, tubular flowers like the endemic Hawaiian Lobelioids (Campanulaceae). However, they will drink nectar from a wide variety of plant species including some with very small flowers like ʻiliahi (Hawaiian sandelwood).  Immature ʻiʻiwi are yellow and red with black spots.

Habitat and Behavior

ʻIʻiwi are often found in flowering ʻōhiʻa lehua, māmane, and ‘ākala. ʻIʻiwi rarely stop moving and often call while they forage. ʻIʻiwi wings produce an audible flutter in flight. ʻIʻiwi are loud and raucous and, like ʻākohekohe, are often aggressive to other species near nectar sources.

Past and Present

ʻIʻiwi are endemic to the main Hawaiian islands and now survive in native forests above 4,500 ft. They can be seen at high elevation on Hawai’i Island and Maui, and are becoming rare on Kaua’i. They are thought to be extremely rare or extinct on Moloka’i and Oʻahu. Once widespread, this species has seen the a drastic population decline in recent decades because of introduced mosquito-borne disease.

Conservation Efforts

ʻIʻiwi are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). ʻIʻiwi are highly susceptible to avian malaria from introduced/invasive mosquitoes. Working to restore healthy, high elevation forest that is ungulate and mosquito free will help protect the birds. Measures to control invasive species like feral cats, rats, mongooses, and mosquitoes are essential to ensure the survival of this iconic hoenycreeper.