Justification The last well-documented observation of this species was in 1985, and recent searches specifically for the species have failed. It may have been driven extinct by disease spread by introduced mosquitoes. However, it cannot yet be presumed to be Extinct until all areas of remaining habitat have been thoroughly searched. 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 (Cabanis, 1850)

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

Identification 11 cm. Small, straight-billed, warbler-like passerine. Male yellow below, olive-green above, with dark lores fading into olive eye-stripe, and distinct yellow forehead and superciliary. Female greenish-grey above, pale yellowish-white below, with two prominent, pale wing-bars, pale lores and forehead, and dark eye-stripe. Similar spp. Both sexes of O'ahu `Amakihi Hemignathus flavus have dark forehead, curved bills, and no pale superciliary. Introduced Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus has bold white eye-ring. Voice Song unknown. Call a loud cherk.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1 - 10

unknown

80 km²

Yes

Range & population Paroreomyza maculata is endemic to O`ahu in the Hawaiian Islands (USA), where fossil evidence indicates that it once occurred in the lowlands<sup>6</sup>. In the past few decades, there have only been a few confirmed sightings, with several of these from the area around North Halawa Valley, Ko`olau range⁷. However, many recent records are viewed with doubt because of its close similarity with H. flavus. The last well-documented observation was of two birds on 12 December 1985 on Poamoho Trail during the Waipi`o Christmas Bird Count¹¹. There have been several reports from different areas since, but details of the observations have been inconclusive and the birds were never relocated. 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. If any population remains, it is likely to be tiny.

Ecology: In the 1890s, it was reported to eat quantities of carabid beetles, most likely wood-borers, as it was seen feeding on the dead branches of koa trees². Recent sightings have been between 300 and 650 m in remnant native, lowland mesic to wet forest ¹. One nest with two eggs was collected in late January 1901².

Threats Some native forests remain on O`ahu, so habitat loss and alteration cannot fully explain the decline of this species<sup>10</sup>. Disease spread by introduced mosquitoes is prevalent in the lowlands<sup>5</sup> and is a likely contributory factor. Circumstantial evidence links declines of some native birds on O`ahu with the spread of introduced birds, but there is no direct evidence for their impact^9,10 and, as this species probably feeds primarily on wood-boring insects, introduced birds are unlikely to be significant competitors. The construction of the H-3 freeway (for which the US Congress gave specific exemption from the Endangered Species Act) destroyed habitat around North Halawa Valley, from which some of the most recent confirmed sightings have come^4,7.

Conservation measures underway Surveys have been carried out during the 1990s to search for this species, but have failed to find any birds⁸. A "Rare Bird Discovery Protocol" has been developed which could be applied to this species in the event of its rediscovery¹².

Conservation measures proposed Continue to conduct intensive and extensive surveys to locate any remaining populations¹, following similar methods to the Hawaii Rare Bird Search¹³. If any birds are found, start intensive monitoring, including the collection of data on vocalisations, foraging and breeding behaviour¹. If active nests are found, ensure localised predator control¹. Consider captive propagation, following development of specific techniques¹.

References 1. Baker and Baker (2000). 2. Berger (1972). 3. Jacobi and Atkinson (1995). 4. J. Lepson in litt. (1999). 5. Lindsey et al. (1998). 6. Olson and James (1982). 7. Pratt (1993). 8. Pratt (1994). 9. Scott et al. (1986). 10. VanderWerf et al. (1997). 11. Bremer (1986). 12. US Fish and Wildlife Service (2006). 13. Reynolds and Snetsinger (2001).

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), Jaan Lepson, Jay Nelson (US Fish & Wildlife Service), 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: Paroreomyza maculata. 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.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

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