Justification The last confirmed sightings of this species were in 1995-1996 at Hanawi on Maui, with none since then despite extensive effort in a large proportion of the historic range. However, it cannot yet be presumed to be Extinct until further surveys have confirmed that there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. 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 Lichtenstein, 1839

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

Identification 14 cm. Medium-sized honeycreeper with strongly downcurved "heterobill" in which mandible is half the length of maxilla. Kaua`i male golden-yellow on head and breast, shading to white on belly and undertail-coverts. Crown, nape, postocular line and posterior edge of ear-coverts slightly tinged greenish, yellowish-green upper-parts. Black lores, eye-ring, and bill. Kaua`i female greenish-grey above, mostly dull white below with yellow restricted to chin, upper throat, and supraloral patch. Maui male similar except greyer dorsally, darker on crown and nape, yellower on belly and undertail. Maui female similar but duller, more dark colouring on head producing prominent yellow superciliary. Similar spp. Kaua`i `Amakihi H. kauaiensis has paler bill, less head/back contrast, and dingier underparts. Maui Parrotbill Pseudonestor xanthophrys rather similar in plumage, but much heavier bill. Voice Song a short warble, call ke-wit, both similar to voice of `Akiapola`au H. munroi of Hawai`i.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

<50

unknown

22 km²

Yes

Range & population Hemignathus lucidus is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (USA). On Kaua`i, it is probably confined to the `Alaka`i Wilderness Preserve^3,10 where it was apparently recorded a few times 1984-1998, although at least some, if not all, of these sightings appear to refer to H. kauaiensis^1,8,14. Recent surveys on Kauai have failed to find it, and it seems likely to be extinct^15,16. On Maui, it is found on the eastern and north-eastern slopes of Haleakala, where there have been several unconfirmed detections 1986-1998, although a single male seen in 1995 (seen by more than one qualified observer and backed up by detailed field notes⁸) in the same place as a report from 1994 provided strong evidence of its persistence^1,8,9. There have been no other confirmed sightings since then despite extensive effort in a large proportion of the historic range: annual surveys by NPS, two State sanctioned surveys, monthly surveys in Hanawi, TNC surveys and efforts by the Maui Forest Bird Recovery team. Although not all of these programmes surveyed locations where the species was last observed, many surveyed highly likely locations^14,16. US Fish and Wildlife Service (in review) concluded that in all probability this species is extinct or functionally extinct. However, it should not yet be reclassified as Extinct until further surveys have confirmed that there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. If any population remains, it is likely to be tiny.

Ecology: It inhabits dense, wet `ohi`a forest and the higher parts of mesic koa-`ohi`a forest^6,10. On Maui, all recent sightings were between 1,450 and 2,000 m, mostly at the lower end of that range¹⁰. On Kaua`i, the Koai`e Valley (where it was seen in 1995^3,8) is at 1,000-1,300 m⁷. It feeds on wood-borers, spiders and beetles^3,6,9,10.

Threats The lower-elevation koa forests (possibly the species's key habitat) have been nearly eliminated by cattle-ranching⁹. Remaining higher-altitude forests are degraded by introduced ungulates^4,9,10,12. Feral pigs facilitate the spread of alien plants and introduced disease-carrying mosquitoes^4,7. On Kaua`i, all bird populations appeared to have been drastically reduced after Hurricane Iniki in 1992<sup>7</sup>, although some have since recovered. It has been extirpated from the koa-`ohi`a forests of Koke`e, suggesting that it is sensitive to perturbation. Other suggested limiting factors include predation and competition from exotic bird and insect species^1,13.

Conservation measures underway On Maui, fencing and feral pig eradication has been completed in a c.650 ha area where the male was recorded in 1994^1,11. In Waikamoi Preserve, Hanawi Natural Area Reserve and Haleakala National Park, efforts have been made to combat the establishment of alien plants^4,11. On Kaua`i, the Koai`e Stream area has been intensively managed to conserve Puaiohi Myadestes palmeri, and may have helped any H. lucidus that remain in the area^3,13.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct surveys to locate any remaining populations. If any birds are found, attempt to increase the population by captive propagation¹⁰. Research competition from exotic bird and insect species⁵.

References 1. P. Baker in litt. (1999). 2. H. Baker and P. Baker in litt. (2000). 3. Conant et al. (1998). 4. Loope and Medeiros (1995). 5. M. Morin in litt. (2000). 6. Pratt et al. (1987). 7. Pratt (1994). 8. Pratt and Pyle (1999). 9. Reynolds et al. (1995). 10. Scott et al. (1986). 11. Simon et al. (1997). 12. USFWS (1983). 13. Wakelee et al. (in prep.). 14. Pratt and Pyle (2000). 15. Reynolds and Snetsinger (2001). 16. R. Camp 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 Helen C. Baker (US Fish & Wildlife Service), Paul E Baker (US Fish & Wildlife Service), Rick Camp (US Geological Survey), Scott Fretz (Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife), Marcos Gorresen (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: Hemignathus lucidus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

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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