Justification This species has been listed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) because, of three known individuals in 1998, one died in captivity in 2004 and the remaining two individuals have not been seen since 2003 and 2004. It may be extinct, but continuing surveys in all areas of potential habitat are needed to confirm that no other individuals survive. If any do still survive, the total population must be tiny.

Family/Sub-family Fringillidae

Species name author Casey & Jacobi, 1974

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

Identification 14 cm. Chunky, short-tailed passerine with heavy, somewhat finch-like bill. Adult brown above, greyish-white below, with broad black mask extending behind eye. Grey above mask, shading into brown of crown, with bold, pale patch just behind mask. Juvenile similar but buffier below with smaller mask without grey above. Voice Song a quiet jumble of chittering notes. Call a loud chirk, often in short series.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

<50

decreasing

3 km²

Yes

Range & population Melamprosops phaeosoma is endemic to Maui in the Hawaiian Islands (USA), where it was discovered in 1973, in the Ko`olau Forest Reserve on the north-eastern flanks of Haleakala^5,8, and estimated to number fewer than 200 birds. During 1975-1985, there was a rapid decline in density in the upper Hanawi watershed⁴, the last area from which it was known. In 1995, only five to seven birds were known but, by mid-1997, only three individuals could be found (two male, one possibly female), each with distinct home ranges in Hanawi Natural Area Reserve (NAR) and the immediately adjacent Haleakala National Park¹. One of three known individuals was captured in September 2004 but died on 28 November 2004^12,14. The two other individuals may both have been male, but neither have been seen since 2003 and 2004¹², and are likely to have now died (if alive, both birds would be a minimum of 12 years old in 2008¹²). No other individuals have been located since 1998 despite almost constant presence of researchers in the field in recent years¹², but it is still possible, albeit unlikely, that a few unlocated individuals may exist in the wild¹⁴.

Ecology: It is found in remote `ohi`a forest⁶ at 1,400-2,100 m, but this may be suboptimal habitat as subfossil evidence indicates that it occurred in much drier habitat at 300-1,500 m^2,4,7. It feeds primarily on snails, insects, and spiders, and occasionally fruit^3,5. The two known nests were found in `ohi`a trees⁵.

Threats Habitat destruction and modification, and the rapid spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes in the lowlands are thought to be responsible for past declines, and the latter continues to be a threat^4,6. The precise causes of the recent population decline are unknown⁸, although a correlation with a concurrent 473% increase in pig activity within the Hanawi NAR has been hypothesised, as indexed by ground-cover disturbance⁴. Predation by introduced rats, cats and small Indian mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus is also possible. Rats and the introduced garlic snail (Oxychilus alliarius) have been blamed for the decline of native land snails, an important food source for the Po'o-uli¹¹.

Conservation measures underway In 1986, the 30 km2 Hanawi NAR was created to protect this species and, during 1990-1997, all feral pigs were systematically eradicated from three fenced areas^5,7,8,13. An environmental assessment has been produced and a management plan proposed^9,14. Two wild birds were briefly united when one was caught and moved into the home range of another. However, after just one day the translocated bird had returned to its own territory¹¹. One of three known individuals was captured in September 2004 but died in captivity on 28 November 2004¹². The 2006 East Maui Forest Bird Survey covered 216 stations on 8 transects within Po'ouli habitat, and failed to locate any birds. In 2006, the East Maui Watershed Partnership (EMWP) completed a c. 5000 ha fenced unit adjacent to and east of Hanawi NAR incorporating the Ko'olau Forest Preserve, Haiku Uka and Waikamoi Forest Preserve, between about 1,000m and 2,400 m elevation. Feral pig control is the next phase, some of which has already been implemented by The Nature Conservancy in the Waikamoi Preserve portion.

Conservation measures proposed Survey all remaining `ohi`a forest on East Maui². Extend the new EMWP lower-elevation fence line west and below the existing Hanawi NAR fence-line to help prevent the spread of invasive weeds and mosquitoes into upper elevation forests and abet the restoration of more lower elevation habitat⁷. Intensify habitat management in areas adjacent to Hanawi NAR including removal of feral pigs from the new fenced unit.

References US Fish and Wildlife Service (2006) 1. Baker (2000). 2. P. Baker in litt. (1999). 3. M. Collins in litt. (1999). 4. Mountainspring et al. (1990). 5. Pratt et al. (1997). 6. T. Pratt in litt. (1999). 7. Reilly (1998). 8. Rosa et al. (1998). 9. USFWS and Hawai`i DLNR (1999). 10. S. Fretz et al. in litt. (2003). 11. Groombridge et al. (2004). 12. K. Swinnerton in litt. (2006). 13. Anderson and Stone (1993). 14. VanderWerf et al. (2006).

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), David Capper (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Simon Stuart (Conservation 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), Kirsty Swinnerton (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: Melamprosops phaeosoma. 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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