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Hawaii Amakihi

Hemignathus virens virensOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Finches (Fringillidae)

Hawaii Amakihi Portrait
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General

Hawaii Amakihi: Also known as the Common Amakihi. Upperparts are yellow-green and underparts are yellow. Lores are black, bill is black and decurved. Wings and tail are olive-gray. Female has shorter bill and is less yellow, more green. Juvenile is dull gray-green above and glaucous below, may have yellow streaks. Lores are gray and has pale wing bars.

Range and Habitat

Hawaii Amakihi: Found on Hawaii and Maui, rare on Molokai. Lives in both wet and dry native forests in low and high elevations.

Voice Text

"tzeet", "chu-weet"

Interesting Facts

  • The Hawaiian name Amakihi is derived from the word kihi or kihikihi, meaning curved.
  • It is one of the most common honeycreepers, and may be evolving resistance to diseases like Avian Malaria.
  • This honeycreeper is a member of the Finch rather than the Tanager family, where honeycreepers found in Central and South America are currently placed.
  • A group of honeycreepers are collectively known as a "hive" of honeycreepers.


Author

Crystal Adams

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Range Map for Hawaii Amakihi
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Family
Species Hemignathus virens virens
Length4.3 Inches
Wingspan Inches

Hawaii Amakihi

Hawaii Amakihi: Also known as the Common Amakihi. Upperparts are yellow-green and underparts are yellow. Lores are black, bill is black and decurved. Wings and tail are olive-gray. Legs and feet are gray. Flight is strong and direct in the forest canopy, may undulate over long distances.

● Song: "tzeet", "chu-weet"

● Foraging & Feeding: Hawaii Amakihi: Forages on leaves and branches for insects and spiders. Uses its tubular tongue to drink nectar, mostly from flowers of Mamane and Ohia trees, also feeds on fruit.

● Breeding & nesting: Hawaii Amakihi: Two to three white to cream eggs with purple markings and brown blotches are laid in an open cup nest contructed of twigs, grass stems, and leaves. Most nests are built 12-24 feet above the ground in a Mamane or Ohia tree. Female incubates eggs for 14 days, chicks fledge 15-21 days after hatching.

● Similar species: Hawaii Amakihi: Hawaii Creeper has straighter bill, adults have white throats and gray or black loral mask extending behind eye. Akiapola'au are slightly larger and have much longer curved bills.

Flight Pattern

Direct in forest canopy, may undulate when flying over distances.
Hawaii Amakihi Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Hawaii Amakihi: Found on Hawaii and Maui, rare on Molokai. Lives in both wet and dry native forests in low and high elevations.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationStable
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight0.47, 0.47 Ounces