Hawaii is home to a variety of small brown birds that can be found across the islands. Some of the most common small brown birds in Hawaii include the Apapane, the Amakihi, the Elepaio, and the Anianiau. Let’s take a closer look at each of these birds and what makes them special residents of Hawaii.
Apapane
The Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) is one of the most common small brown birds found in Hawaii. These small birds grow to about 5 inches in length and have a brown body, red head, black wings and tail, white undertail coverts, and a curved red bill. The male and female Apapane have similar plumage. Their Hawaiian name, Apapane, means “red honeycreeper.”
Apapane are native to Hawaii and live in forests at elevations between 1,000 to 8,000 feet. They can be found on all the main Hawaiian islands. Apapane primarily feed on the nectar from native ohia trees. Their curved bill is perfectly adapted for sipping nectar out of ohia flowers. Apapane use their tongues to lap up the nectar while perched on the flowers. They also supplement their diet with some insects and spiders.
One of the unique things about Apapane is the songs of the males. They have a very elaborate, melodious song made up of whistles, trills and buzzes. Their singing plays an important role in defending their territory and attracting mates during breeding season.
Apapane build small cup-shaped nests out of plant fibers and spider webs. Their nests are usually located in the branches of ohia trees. Apapane breeding season aligns with the blooming of ohia flowers, which provides them with food to feed their chicks. The female lays 2-3 eggs which she incubates for 14 days. Both parents help feed the chicks.
While still relatively common, Apapane populations have been declining in recent decades likely due to habitat loss, introduced diseases, predators, and climate change. They are considered a conservation priority species in Hawaii’s native forests.
Amakihi
The Amakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens) is another small honeycreeper found in Hawaii. These birds grow to about 5 inches long and have olive-green plumage on their back and wings, a pale gray breast, and a long slightly curved gray bill. The lores (area between beak and eyes) are yellowish.
Amakihi inhabit a wide range of forest habitats from sea level to over 7,000 feet elevation. They are one of the most widespread native Hawaiian honeycreepers and can be found on all the main islands. Amakihi use their long bills to probe into flowers and extract nectar, as well as pick small arthropods off leaves and branches. Main food sources are the nectar and insects found in ohia, koa, and mamane trees.
Male Amakihi sing a varied melodious warbling song from high perches in trees to defend territories and attract mates. Their nests are cup-shaped, built from twigs and lined with softer materials like grasses and moss. Breeding season runs from March through June. Females typically lay 2-3 eggs and incubate them for 14 days until hatching.
Amakihi are still relatively abundant across Hawaiʻi but their populations have declined likely due to habitat degradation, non-native predators, and disease. Protecting native forests helps provide habitat for Amakihi.
Elepaio
The Elepaio (Chasiempis sp.) is a monarch flycatcher endemic to Hawaii. There are three species found on different islands: the Kauai Elepaio, Oahu Elepaio, and Hawaii Elepaio. They all have brownish-olive upperparts, a white throat, light grey breast, and white wingbars. Their Hawaiian name elepaio refers to their call which sounds like “eh-LEH-pie-o”.
Elepaio occupy diverse habitats including rainforests, montane forests, wooded ravines, and drier habitats. They forage for insects in the canopy and on tree trunks, making short sallying flights out from branches to snap up prey. Elepaio will join mixed species feeding flocks with other native Hawaiian birds.
During the breeding season, male Elepaio establish territories and perform courtship displays to attract females. Vocalizations and raising of their crest are part of their displays. Nests are cup-shaped, built 2-35 feet above ground in the fork of a tree. The female incubates the eggs while the male brings food. There are typically two broods per season.
Elepaio populations have declined over the past several decades, primarily due to habitat loss and introduced diseases like avian malaria which affects native forest birds. Ongoing conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring native forests to safeguard Elepaio populations.
Anianiau
The Anianiau (Magumma parva) is a very small forest honeycreeper found in higher elevation native forests on Hawaii Island, Maui and Kauai. They measure only 4 inches in length and weigh less than half an ounce. Males have bright yellow plumage on the head, breast and belly, with olive-green upperparts. Females are duller in color. Their thin curved bill is adapted for accessing nectar from flowers.
Anianiau forage primarily among the outer branches of ohia trees, using their specialized bill to drink the nectar. They also pick small arthropods off leaves. Males sing a high-pitched rapid warbling song to defend territories and attract mates.
Anianiau build a finely woven nest out of plant fibers. The female incubates 1-2 eggs for 14 days until hatching. Both parents feed the nestlings. Pairs can raise up to 4 broods in a season.
One of the biggest threats to Anianiau is non-native disease-carrying mosquitoes which infect forest birds with diseases like avian malaria. Anianiau numbers have declined over 50% in the past few decades. Conservation efforts aim to protect high elevation rainforests that provide safe habitat for this unique Hawaiian honeycreeper.
Other Small Brown Birds
In addition to the native Hawaiian honeycreepers, there are some non-native small brown birds that have been introduced to the islands. Some common ones include:
- House Sparrow – Small chestnut brown bird with streaking on the breast. Found around developed areas.
- Northern Cardinal – Reddish-brown bird with a pointed crest and black face mask. Males are bright red. Found in gardens and shrublands.
- Spotted Dove – Small brown dove with white spots on the wings. Common in parks, yards and agricultural areas.
- Common Myna – Chocolate brown bird with yellow patches and a yellow bill and legs. An aggressive invasive species.
While not native to Hawaii, these introduced species have adapted to make the islands their home too.
Threats and Conservation
Many of Hawaii’s unique small brown forest birds face a variety of threats to their long-term survival. Here are some of the major threats:
- Habitat loss and degradation – Logging, land clearing for development, agriculture and grazing have destroyed or degraded native forest habitats that birds rely on.
- Invasive species – Non-native plants, predators like rats and feral cats, and diseases have devastated native bird populations.
- Climate change – Warming temperatures have expanded mosquito habitat, allowing the spread of diseases like avian malaria to higher elevations that were historically disease-free refuges.
Various conservation strategies are underway to protect Hawaii’s forest birds:
- Habitat management and ecosystem restoration of native forests
- Control and eradication of destructive invasive species
- Captive breeding and reintroduction programs
- Monitoring bird populations and conducting research
- Creating disease-free enclosures and establishing new populations in protected areas
- Public education and community engagement
Protecting the remaining native forest habitats and controlling invasive species are among the most critical conservation actions needed to prevent further declines in Hawaiian honeycreeper and forest bird populations.
Conclusion
The small brown birds of Hawaii represent one of the most spectacular but fragile examples of avian evolution on Earth. Sadly, many species have already gone extinct. Of the five main species covered here, Apapane remain relatively common, Amakihi are declining on some islands, and Elepaio, Anianiau and other Hawaiian honeycreepers are endangered and at risk of extinction without ongoing conservation. Protecting the native ohia and koa forests these birds rely on, while controlling invasive species, will be key to ensuring future generations can continue to marvel at their beauty and songs.