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Omao

Myadestes obscurusOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Thrushes (Turdidae)

Omao Portrait
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General

Oma'o: Also known as the Hawaiian Thrush or Hawaiian Solitaire and most common of the Hawaiian thrushes, dark gray-brown above and pale gray below with brown edging on wings. Bill and legs are dark gray-black. Sexes similar. Juvenile has scalloped pattern with buff on wings and breast. Perches motionless for long periods of time.

Range and Habitat

Oma'o: Restricted to Hawaii and found primarily in the eastern and southeastern regions of the Big Island. Its preferred habitat is rainforest, but sometimes found in savannahs and the high elevation scrub of Mauna Loa.

Voice Text

"whip-per-weeo-whip-per-weet”

Interesting Facts

  • A group of thrushes are collectively known as a "hermitage" and a "mutation" of thrushes.
  • The Omao is also called the Hawaiian Thrush. It was first described by the German naturalist Gmelin in 1789.
  • Their Hawaiian name may have derived phonetically from the sound of a call note, or it may be a variation of Amaui, shortened from Mana-a-Maui, the bird of the demigod Maui.
  • This bird has a unique habit of frequently quivering its wings when perched.


Author

Crystal Adams

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Range Map for Omao
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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.
Family
Species Myadestes obscurus
Length7 Inches
Wingspan Inches

Omao

Oma'o: Most common of the Hawaiian thrushes, dark gray-brown above and pale gray below with brown edging on wings. Bill and legs are dark gray-black. Has a curious habit of fluttering drooped wings similar to a young bird begging for food.

● Song: "whip-per-weeo-whip-per-weet”

● Foraging & Feeding: Oma'o: For the most part frugivores, but will take insects or other small invertebrates by foraging on or near the ground in the understory.

● Breeding & nesting: Oma'o: One or two gray-white to tan eggs with red-brown to lavender splotches and markings are laid in a tree cavity, tree fern, lava tube, or ledge. A loose cup-shaped nest is made of ferns, mosses, leaves, and twigs. Female incubates eggs for 15-17 days, chicks fledge 17-21 days after hatching.

● Similar species: Omao: Puaiohi is smaller, with pink legs and a white eyering, and is found on Kauai. Hwamei has a yellow bill, large white eyering and rust underparts, Northern Mockingbird has longer tail, lighter gray underparts, and white patches on wings and tail.

Flight Pattern

Alternates several rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides.
Omao Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Oma'o: Restricted to Hawaii and found primarily in the eastern and southeastern regions of the Big Island. Its preferred habitat is rainforest, but sometimes found in savannahs and the high elevation scrub of Mauna Loa.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationStable
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight1.7 Ounces