Iiwi - Vestiaria coccinea

Length 5.9 in (15.0 cm)
Weight M: 0.7 oz (19.9 g), F: 0.6 oz (16.7 g)
Clutch Size 1-3
Chicks at birth Altricial
IUCN Conservation Status Vulnerable
Continents:Islands
     

The Iiwi (`I`iwi) is a Hawaiian Honeycreeper that is found on most of the islands of Hawaii. The males and females have a red body, black wings and tail and their long decurved bill is salmon-colored. The male is slightly larger than the female. Juvenile bird plumage is more spotted and golden with ivory bills. They are known for being strong fliers who fly at relatively high elevations.

The `I`iwi feathers were used by the Hawaiians for decorating feather cloaks and helmets.

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Adult
Picture/image of Iiwi
09/07/2011 - Puu Oo Trail, Saddle Rd, Big Island, HI
09/07/2011 - Puu Oo Trail, Saddle Rd, Big Island, HI
Picture/image of Iiwi
09/07/2011 - Puu Oo Trail, Saddle Rd, Big Island, HI
09/07/2011 - Puu Oo Trail, Saddle Rd, Big Island, HI
Picture/image of Iiwi
09/07/2011 - Puu Oo Trail, Saddle Rd, Big Island, HI
09/07/2011 - Puu Oo Trail, Saddle Rd, Big Island, HI
Picture/image of Iiwi
09/07/2011 - Puu Oo Trail, Saddle Rd, Big Island, HI
09/07/2011 - Puu Oo Trail, Saddle Rd, Big Island, HI

Diet: The `I`iwi can hover like hummingbirds and uses its long bill to extract nectar from the flowers of the Hawaiian lobeliods. With the decline of the lobeliods, they now get nectar from other flowers such as the Meltrosideros polymorpha tree. They also eat small insects and spiders from foliage. They get most of their liquid from nectar but have been observed getting water from leaf surfaces.

Courtship: The `I`iwi's breeding cycle is usually between February and June, when the flowers they feed from are the most abundant. In courtship, the male sings, sways rhythmically and flutters his wings to attract the female. They are monogamous during the breeding season but separate after the season is over.

Nesting: The female `I`iwi lays between two to three eggs in a small cup shaped nest made from fibers, petals, and down feathers that both sexes build. The eggs hatch in fourteen days. The female mostly feeds the chicks, but the male will feed the female. This probably helps keep the pair bond.

The chicks usually fledge in three weeks. The chicks are yellowish-green marked with brownish-orange and were once considered a separate species because they looked so different from their parents.

Habitat and Range: `I`iwi used to be the most common forest birds in the Hawaiian Islands. Now they are found on most of the Islands except Lanai where they have not been found since 1929. Their numbers have significantly declined on O'ahu and Molokai, While `I`iwi were once found at all elevations, they have moved to higher elevations (above 3,330 feet) because of loss of habitat and disease. Their habitat has been threatened by clearing, grazing, introduced predators, etc. They are susceptible to fowlpox, avian influenza, and avian malaria which is spread by mosquitoes.

Vocalization: `I`iwi produced a wide variety of sounds from metallic squeaks to clear flute-like calls. Singing begins at dawn and is most persistent during early morning and late afternoon.

Plumage/Molt: Adult `I`iwi molt once a year primarily between June and October.

Migration: It is believed that `I`iwi are able to fly between the Hawaiian Islands, but this is not considered true migration. They are altitudinal migrants and follow the growth of the flowers that they feed on.

Tongue/feet: `I`iwi tongues are tubular with a brushy tip that aids them to extract nectar from flowers.

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