Justification This species has not been recorded with certainty on Kaua'i since 1989 nor on Hawai'i since 1987, and recent searches specifically for it have failed. It may have been driven extinct by habitat loss, introduced rats, and in particular from malaria from introduced mosquitoes. However, it cannot yet be presumed to be Extinct until all potential areas have been surveyed, particularly in Ka`u, Waiakea, and Pu`u Maka`ala, and recent unconfirmed reports have been followed up by systematic searches. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).

Family/Sub-family Fringillidae

Species name author (Gmelin, 1789)

Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 17 cm. Chunky finch with thick bill strongly hooked at tip. Male olive-green with sharply defined yellow head and white undertail-coverts. Female olive-green above and below, greyer on throat and upper breast. Bill pink in both sexes. Voice Song long, loud and complex with whistles, trills, and warbles. Call an upslurred or downslurred whistle, very far-carrying.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

<50

unset

180 km²

Yes

Range & population Psittirostra psittacea was originally widespread in the Hawaiian Islands (USA), but was extirpated from O`ahu, Maui, Moloka`i and then Lana`i between 1899 and 1931<sup>6</sup>. On Kaua`i, it survived in the Alaka`i Wilderness Preserve into the mid-1970s, with c.62 birds being present during 1968-1973<sup>7</sup>, but only a few in 1981<sup>5</sup>, two in 1989 and none since. On Hawai`i, several populations were present in the early 1980s, with c.394 estimated during 1976-1983⁵ but, in 1984, a lava-flow from Mauna Loa passed through the Upper Waiakea Forest Reserve, the species's stronghold^5,6, and the last confirmed sighting was in 1987⁶. However, since 1995 there have been unconfirmed reports from Koai`e Stream, Alaka`i (Kaua`i) and Pu`u Maka`ala Natural Area Reserve and Kapapala-Ka`u Forest Reserve (Hawai`i)^3,6. The prognosis is poor, especially given the species's preference for lower elevations where habitat loss and the impacts of introduced disease and predators have been most severe, but it cannot yet be presumed to be Extinct until the last areas have been intensively surveyed⁸. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny.

Ecology: It is restricted to wet to mesic `ohi`a forest between 800 and 1,900 m, mainly 1,200-1,500 m^5,6. Its bill is adapted to feeding on `ie`ie, an understory vine, and outside the `ie`ie fruiting season, it is nomadic in response to seasonal fruit and invertebrate abundance⁶.

Threats Habitat has been lost and modified by logging and agriculture, and `ie`ie has declined because of pressure from introduced rats and ungulates⁶. Feral pigs, in particular, are pervasive habitat degraders^1,4,5 and their activity benefits the introduced mosquito vectors of avian diseases which are implicated in the rapid decline of this species^4,5,6, especially given that its nomadic behaviour may increase its exposure to disease⁶. The population has been decimated by hurricanes on Kaua`i and lava-flows on Hawai`i^2,6.

Conservation measures underway Recent reports of this species come from three protected areas⁶. A Rare Bird Search Project was implemented to find the species and make recommendations for its conservation, but none were located⁶. Feral pig elimination is being carried out in a number of protected areas in Hawai`i<sup>1</sup> which could hold remnant populations. The Kaua`i Watershed Alliance and The Nature Conservancy are considering fencing (to exclude herbivores and possibly other predators) the north-eastern section of the Alakai Plateau on Kaua`i, where the species was last recorded.

Conservation measures proposed Perform further surveys to locate any remaining populations, following up unconfirmed reports as a priority. Manage ecosystems intensively in areas where the species could still occur⁶. Plant and encourage food-plants in areas where they have been extirpated⁶. Remove feral ungulates⁶. If birds are found, attempt to increase the population by captive propagation^5,6. If found, protect nests⁶.

References 1. Anderson and Stone (1993). 2. Conant et al. (1998). 3. J. Lepson in litt. (1999). 4. Pratt (1994). 5. Scott et al. (1986). 6. Snetsinger et al. (1998). 7. USFWS (1983). 8. S. Fretz, E. Vanderwerf, R. Camp and M. Gorresen in litt. (2003).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Audubon WatchList

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Revised Recovery Plan for Hawaiian Forest Birds 2006

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Tom Stuart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Rick Camp (US Geological Survey), Scott Fretz (Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife), Marcos Gorresen (US Geological Survey), Thane Pratt (US Geological Survey), Eric VanderWerf (Pacific Rim Conservation), Bethany Woodworth (US Geological Survey)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Psittirostra psittacea. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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