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ARTICLES ON HAWAIIAN BIRDS AND BIRDWATCHING

The Po'o-uli - The World's Rarest Bird?

This species was first found in 1973 by University of Hawai`i students in the northeastern (wet) slope of Haleakala, Maui. Nine individuals were found at this first sighting. Possible Po`ouli bones found in 1982 lead scientists to believe that they once existed in the southwest (dry) slopes of Haleakala. There are no other records of this bird’s history. It is believed that only three Po`ouli exist today, all in the Hanawi Natural Area Reserve on Maui. Loss of habitat, predation, and lack of food sources are the primary threats to their survival. It is primarily a bird of the undergrowth and understorey of Ohia forest. Much of its habitat has been destroyed by pigs and the future is very uncertain for this, the most recently discovered Hawaiian Forest bird.
The Po`ouli was listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on September 25, 1974. Updates from 1998 - Present can be found by Clicking Here and Here.

This rare forest bird is of the "honeycreeper" family and spends most of its time foraging in native forests. The species once travelled in small family groups, the Po`ouli glean leaves and bark in the sub-canopy and understorey of forests searching for snails, spiders, and insects. The Po`ouli lives in elevations of 5,000 feet and above. The Po`ouli breeds from February to June, and usually lays one or two eggs. The given modern Hawaiian name of PO'OULI refers to its dark head markings.

The Sexes are similar with adults being brown above and pale gray below. They have a black mask which extends from the forehead to the throat and chin to a point behind the eye. The crown is gray and the flanks and undertail coverts are cinnamon. The bill is short and black. The legs are long and pale. Immatures are drab brown above and buffy below and have a less extensive black mask. The bill is dark with a white lower mandible which apparently darkens from the base as birds get older. The legs are dark brown. The Po'ouli measures 5.5 inches in length.

The bird's calls include a "Chip" note, thinner than Maui 'Alauahio. They also give a whistled "wh-whit". Their song is a whispered whistle of ascending "chits" with the last not highest. They also give a short song of a series of four "chits" with the third note being the lowest.

Link: Poouli

Link: Maui Forest Bird Group

The following information on Taxonomy, Species identification and Status is taken from the Conservation Management Institute website from a draft dated 14th March 1996. Species Id ESIS101040

TAXONOMY

NAME - PO'OULI

OTHER COMMON NAMES - PO'OULI;POOULI; POO-ULI;POO ULI;PO'O-ULI; PO'O ULI; BLACK-FACED HONEYCREEPER

CATEGORY - Birds

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - PASSERIFORMES,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - FRINGILLIDAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - MELAMPROSOPS,

SPECIES AND SSP - PHAEOSOMA,

SCIENTIFIC NAME - MELAMPROSOPS PHAEOSOMA

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - Po'ouli. Melamprosops phaeosoma Casey and Jacobi, 1974

KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird

PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves

ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Fringillidae

Po'ouli are 135 mm (5.25 in) in length (09,12,25). Above, they are dark grayish brown, washed with paler cinnamon brown on neck and back which becomes brighter on the upper tail coverts and feathers, and on the outer vanes of the wing quills. A dull black mask extends across the forehead, on chin and around eyes, extending backward and terminating in a point. Sides of head and throat (below the black area) and lower parts are pale buff, washed with gray across the breast. Sides and under tail coverts are washed with dull rufous brown and the flanks are light cinnamon brown. Legs and feet are dark brown. The bill is black somewhat conical and the tail is very short almost square (07,09). Po'ouli was described as Melamprosops phaeosoma Casey and Jacobi, 1974, a distinct new genus and species in the family Drepanididae (the family of Hawaiian honeycreepers). Melamprosops phaeosoma was originally placed in the subfamily Psittirostrinae when described in 1973 (09,12,19). In 1979, Pratt doubted that Melamprosops was indeed a honeycreeper and considered this genus incertae sedis (07,16). The
taxonomy of the Hawaiian honeycreepers was changed in the 6th Edition of the American Ornithologists' Union 1983. Family Drepanididae was changed to a subfamily under the family Fringillidae. Psittirostrini, Hemignathini and Drepanidini tribes were erected. Melamprosops phaeosoma is now tentatively placed in the tribe Drepanidini (02,19,20,21). The latest published field guide on Hawaiian birds places po'ouli in the subfamily Drepanidinae but does not designate tribes
(17). In 1974, the common name "po'o uli" (including a space) was suggested (09), but in 1977 it was recommended that the space be deleted (03). The Hawaii Audubon Society recommends that traditional Hawaiian names (including all diacritical marks) be used as the vernacular names for endemic birds (21). Therefore, the common name of Melamprosops phaeosoma should be "po'ouli." The vernacular name listed in the AOU Checklist (1983) is "poouli" (02,21). The list of "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses the name "po'ouli" (29), which incorporates the
glottal stop and is in accord with the traditional Hawaiian spelling (18). Many variants and alternates of the common name for Melamprosops phaeosoma exist in the scientific literature as follows: poouli or Poouli (02,07,21), poo-uli or Poo-uli (01,04,13,15,17,23), poo uli (04), po'o-uli or Po'o-uli (05,17,24), Po'o Uli (06,14,19), po'o uli (09,27), po'ouli or Po'ouli (03,10,18,20,21,22,25,26,29), and black-faced honeycreeper (04,17). The holotype is deposited in the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii (No. BBM-X-147112); the paratype is deposited in the American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York (AMNH No. 810456). No other specimens of po'ouli have been collected (05,09).
Illustrations of the species can be found in Hawaiian Birdlife by Berger (07), The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific by Pratt, Bruner, and Berrett (17), Hawaii's Birds by Shallenberger (24), and the Forest Bird Communities of the Hawaiian Islands: Their Dynamics, Ecology, and Conservation by Scott, Mountainspring, Ramsey, and
Kepler (23).

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STATUS

E: Federal Endangered
Non-consumptive recreational

COMMENTS ON STATUS - U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:

The po'ouli (Melamprosops phaeosoma) has been designated as Endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended. The species has this status wherever found including the Island of Maui, Hawaii.This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring): (1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of any State law or regulation, or foreign law; or (2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law, treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law. It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S. territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian tribal law.

RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:

USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402), and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of the species.

STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:

STATE: Hawaii. DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Dept. of Land and Natural Resources. STATE STATUTE: Hawaii Rev. Stat., Chapter 195D.

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
This species is listed as rare in the 1986 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals.

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The species was formerly important to forest ecosystems as an insectivore. It is among the many rare birds sought on Maui by birdwatchers.
75/04/21:40 FR 17590/17591 - Proposed rule
75/09/25:40 FR 44148/44151 - Final rule
76/09/30:41 FR 43340/43358 - Updated list
76/10/27:41 FR 47180/47198 - Updated list to correct errors
77/07/14:42 FR 36420/36431 - Updated list
78/12/11:43 FR 58030/58048 - Updated list
79/01/17:44 FR 03636/03654 - Republication of list
80/05/20:45 FR 33768/33781 - Updated list
81/02/27:46 FR 14652/14658 - Notice of review
83/07/27:48 FR 34182/34196 - Updated list
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Notice of review
87/07/07:52 FR 25524/25528 - Notice of 5-year review

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE - Evergreen Forest Land

Po'ouli occur in mesic and wet montane forests (23) from 1,400-2,100 m (4600-6800 ft) with 80 percent of the sightings
occurring at 1,800-2,050 m (5900-6725 ft) elevation (15). All known sightings have been in wet 'ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha) forests with well-developed understories (23). Most birds were seen in an area of relatively dense, moss-draped vegetation, frequently along gulches and other areas less disturbed by pig activity (15). The upper Hanawi study area (the major area of distribution for the po'ouli) supports a rainforest averaging 13 m (ca. 40 ft) height and 60 percent crown cover, dominated by 'ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha) and olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum). The understory is composed of native subcanopy trees, shrubs, and ferns composed of approximately 57 percent shrub cover, 10 percent herb cover and 66 percent fern cover (15).
Po'ouli are found in the Hydrandepts-Tropaquods soil association (code rHT). This association is gently sloping to steep. Hydrandepts are moderately well-drained to well-drained soils that have a surface layer high in organic-matter content. The subsoil is dark-brown or dark yellowish-brown silty clay loam or silty clay. Tropaquods are poorly-drained soils that have a peaty or mucky surface layer and a mottled silty clay (11). The tip of the southwestern boundary of the known present
distribution of po'ouli may extend into Rock land-Rough mountainous land soils. The possible present observation in The Nature Conservancy's Waikamoi Preserve is in Rock land soil (code rRK), which is characterized by the presence of rock outcrops over 25-90 percent of the surface and by very shallow soils. The land type is nearly level to very steep. Rough mountainous land (code rRT) consists of very steep land broken by numerous intermittent drainage channels. It is dominated by deep, V-shaped valleys that have extremely steep side slopes and narrow ridges between the valleys. Over much of the area, the soil mantle is very thin and ranges from 25-250 mm (1-10 in) in thickness over saprolite (11).

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FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - OMNIVORE

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART

General Evergreen Trees Flowers/Fruit/Seed

General Arthropods

General Molluscs

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae

LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS:

The po'ouli feed largely on small snails and insects gleaned from low foliage and bark (05,23,25). A study done on the contents of the two specimens collected in 1973 concluded that the birds eat both animal and plant material. Molluscs appeared to be very important, constituting the majority (63 percent) of the observed stomach contents. Arthropods also formed a large fraction (33 percent) of the consumed food, with 90 percent of the arthropods being insects. Food taken from plants was a minor part (3.7 percent) of the po'ouli diet and consisted of 'olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum) fruit fragments. Nectar, if taken, would not have been detected in this study. However, po'ouli have never been seen feeding on flowers (05). The po'ouli feed within low trees and understory plants slowly and methodically over leaves, branches and tree trunks, hunting and prying in the bark (05,25). They most frequently foraged from 4-7 m (13-23 ft) height on 'ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha), olapa, ohelo (Vaccinium calycinum) and kanawao (Broussaisia arguta). Occasional ground foraging occurred. Prey were captured by gleaning, probing, and pecking chiefly from among moss, lichen, and bark on branches. Birds frequently pulled up lichen and moss mats in search of prey (15). A detailed list of species found in the alimentary tracts of the two birds is described in detail in "A preliminary list of foods of the po'o-uli" by Baldwin and Casey (05). No information is available on food preference in differenct seasons of different life stages.

HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:

Virtually nothing is known of the home range or territoriality of the po'ouli. No studies of individual movements have been conducted. They have been observed in small flocks with Maui creeper (Paroreomyza montana newtoni), Maui parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys) (15,23,25), and twice with Maui nuku-pu'u (Hemignathus lucidus affinus) (08,25), suggesting that interspecific territories may not be maintained.

PERIODICITY:

Po'ouli are diurnal. One study showed that the birds spent about 48 percent of their daylight hours foraging and 30 percent quietly perching (15). Seasonal variation in its habits has never been studied.

MIGRATION PATTERNS:

The po'ouli is non-migratory (07).

COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:

To date, po'ouli have only been found in one habitat type and apparently require this intact native forest vegetation for cover and shelter to survive. It is not known if there is a minimum area of cover required. Po'ouli use the understory and subcanopy extensively and appear to be adversely impacted by habitat damage due to pigs. Areas within the known range of po'ouli differ from nearby areas outside its range at the same elevation and general vegetation type. In-range areas show low to moderate pig damage and well developed herb, ground fern, and moss layers, while adjacent areas outside the range show significantly greater pig damage and less ground cover (15,23).

REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:

Only two po'ouli nests have been observed. The nests were composed of twigs and mosses tightly woven into a terminal leaf
cluster about 12 m (40 ft) up in an 'ohi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha) tree (28).

REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

The first nest was discovered while both birds were building, so only a small amount of information is available on the pre-nesting reproduction behavior. Only the female was observed incubating the eggs. She attended the nest for long periods of time and departed only occasionally to forage. The male foraged in the nesting area and beyond, and brought food items to the female on the nest (28). The exact breeding season is unknown, but the first nest was found on March 3, 1986 and was abandoned sometime between April 8-1 presumably due to heavy rains. On April 16, the birds were observed constructing a second nest. The site was revisited on May 5 and the birds were incubating eggs (28). The length of incubation is not
certain but from the information available it is estimated to be between one to three weeks. The clutch size was two (28).

PARENTAL CARE:

The following information is derived from only one record of successful nesting and is not yet complete. Both the male and female took care of the young in the nest for about 20 days. One chick fledged but the other was observed one day and the following day was missing. Speculations on the fate of the lost chick include possible predation or death due to weakness. The surviving fledging was observed with its parents the day after fledging from the nest, but no other information was provided on duration of family bond (28).

POPULATION BIOLOGY:

The current population is estimated at 140 birds (23). It is thought to be limited by habitat modification (especially by feral
pigs), avian disease, predation from introduced mammals, competition for food resources from introduced birds and invertebrates (especially Japanese white-eyes and garlic snails), and possibly reduction in genetic variability (15,23). There is no population density objective, but population density for po'ouli was estimated in 1975 at 76 birds/ square km (15), in 1980
at 11 birds/ square km (23), in 1981 at 15 birds/ square km, and in 1985 at 8 birds/ square km. These estimates show a steady decline of 90 percent from 1975 to 1985 (15). Incidental observations seem to support this density decline (23).

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:

Po'ouli frequently form small mixed-species flocks, most often with the Maui creeper (Paroreomyza montana) and sometimes including the Maui parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys) and nuku-pu'u (Hemignathus lucidus affinus). This may facilitate predator avoidance and enhance foraging efficiency (08,15,25). A possible species interrelationship which may have a direct
impact on the po'ouli is interspecific competition for food resources from introduced birds especially Japanese white-eyes (Zosterops japonicus) and introduced invertebrates like the garlic snail (Oxychilus alliarius) (15,23). Introduced mammals like mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus), feral cats (Felis catus), Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans) and black rats (Rattus rattus) have been involved in the decline of many forest birds and could have a direct impact on the po'ouli as predators (15,23). Avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) and avian pox (Poxvirus avium) carried by mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus) could also have a detrimental impact on po'ouli. Many Hawaiian birds are susceptible to these diseases and so it has been suggested that the po'ouli's distribution is at least in part determined by disease (15,23).

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:

None.

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MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

MANAGEMENT PRACTICE RESULT

Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations Beneficial

Restricting/regulating human use of habitats Beneficial

Land Acquisition Beneficial

Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation Beneficial

Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks Beneficial

Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals Beneficial

Disease Control Measures Beneficial

Controlling/Removing Invertebrates Beneficial

Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates Beneficial

Controlling/Removing Feral Animals Beneficial

Food Supply Reduction Adverse

Food Supply Reduction Existing

Low Gene Pool Adverse

Low Gene Pool Existing

Disease Adverse

Disease Existing

Predation Adverse

Predation Existing

Competition Adverse

Competition Existing

Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Adverse

Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species Existing

Erosion Adverse

Erosion Existing

Vegetation Composition Changes Adverse

Vegetation Composition Changes Existing

Forest Alteration Adverse

Forest Alteration Existing

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

The limited distribution and small population size of the po'ouli are probably the result of many factors occurring over an
extended period of time. Fossil records from the dry leeward side of East Maui near Ulupalakua suggest that the po'ouli had a wider distribution (and probably higher numbers) before Polynesian contact (ca. 400 A.D.). The mature dry mesophytic forests in this area may have been their optimal habitat, but these forests have been almost totally altered to non-native plant communities through human and feral ungulate activity (15). More recent factors that have contributed to the current status
of the po'ouli are thought to be habitat modification, predation, avian disease, interspecific competition and gene pool impoverishment (15). Habitat modification in the Hanawi area is due mostly to feral pigs, which apparently did not significantly penetrate the native forests until the introduction of the European domestic pig (23). Rooting and wallowing activities of feral pigs cause extensive damage in native ecosystems by radically altering the understory, hindering forest regeneration, facilitating invasion of introduced pest plants, and inducing severe soil erosion, especially on steep slopes (15,23). In addition, pig activity generates mosquito breeding sites, which may assist mosquitoes in establishig populations at higher elevations. Pigs also destroy microhabitats critical to the life cycle of land snails and other invertebrates that are major food items for po'ouli (23).
Po'ouli densities estimated at the Hanawi site in 1975, 1981, and 1985 appear to show a steady decline. Correlated with this trend was an increase in pig damage in the understory (15,23). The authors suggest that this factor is an extreme threat to the survival of the po'ouli and recommend removal of pigs permanently from this and adjacent areas (23). Goats generally occupy forest edges and shrubland habitat where they cause great damage to drier and more open Hawaiian ecosystems. They are a major problem in Haleakala National Park and adjacent areas where they devastate alpine grassland and subalpine scrubland, and also enter high-elevation wet forests. The advance of goats into upper wet forest edges on Maui threatens forest birds including the po'ouli (23). Introduced predators have been clearly implicated in the decline of many forest birds. Of these predators, the black rat (Rattus rattus), Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans), feral cats (Felis catus), and the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) may affect the po'ouli.

The Location and sex of the three Po'o-uli in the Hanawi Natural Area Reserve.

The Hanawi Natural Area Reserve (HNAR) was created in 1986 as part of the State of Hawai`i Natural Area Reserve System (NARS). The 7,500 acre reserve lies on the northeastern slope of Haleakala on the Island of Maui. Hanawi NAR abuts Haleakala National Park on its southern border, and Ko`olau Forest Reserve on its eastern and western borders. Three fenced units were constructed in the upper portions of Hanawi for the removal of ungulates.
The terrain in Hanawi NAR is extremely steep and rugged. Rainfall averages 350 inches per year. While some alien plant species are present, the vegetation is dominated by native Hawaiian rain forest species. The canopy is primarily `ohia lehua (Metrosideiros polymorpha) and olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum). The understory is thickly vegetated with native ferns, grasses, and shrubs. This pristine environment provides the best habitat for native forest birds on Maui. Hanawi supports one of the highest densities of endangered forest birds in the state of Hawai`i. Map courtesy of the Maui Forest Bird Group [Link: Maui Forest Bird Group].

Substantial populations of the black rat and the Polynesian rat occur as high as 2,000 m (ca. 6700 ft) elevation in the Hanawi area, and unidentified feathers have been found in the stomachs of both species. It has been argued that the black rat's arboreal habits affect native birds through nest predation. Cats occur in the Hanawi area and are known to be effective predators on native birds. The small Indian mongoose may be an occasional predator because of its ground feeding habits. The low foraging height and frequent use of understory substrates would seem to make the po'ouli more vulnerable to predation than canopy feeders (15,23). Because the endemic Hawaiian avifauna evolved in the absence of many disease factors prevalent in continental areas, numerous species show marked susceptibility to (and occasionally demonstrate mortality from) introduced avian diseases, particularly avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) and avian pox (Poxvirus avium) (15). Malaria and pox were probably introduced to the Hawaiian Islands via introduced birds (23). The primary vector for these diseases is the
mosquito, especially ornithophilous night-biting mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus). The lower elevational range for the po'ouli is near the upper limit for mosquitoes, suggesting that its distribution is at least in part determined by disease (15,23).
Interspecific competition for food resources occurs to some extent from other birds and from introduced invertebrates. Other
birds that feed on invertebrates include Japanese white-eyes (Zosterops japonicus) and several other native species. Competition from native birds in the past has probably been compensated for by the honeycreepers evolutionary specialization. The Japanese white-eye was introduced in the 1930's and is the most abundant and widespread omnivorous passerine in Hawaiian forest. It has increased in numbers on East Maui above 1,500 m (ca. 5000 ft) elevation since 1967 and has been found to be the most significant competitor of native passerines for food resources (15,23). The garlic snail (Oxychilus alliarius), an introduced snail, is abundant and ubiquitous in montane rainforests on Maui and may be a very effective competitor for food resources with the po'ouli. The garlic snail is suspected of preying on the native land snails and
contributing to the decline of snail populations, particularly ground dwelling species. Since a major food source for po'ouli is native snails and po'ouli occasionally forage on or near the ground (05), it has been suggested that a major portion of the original resource base is no longer present. Hence, the garlic snail may have a major impact on the po'ouli (15,23).
Since the fossil record suggests that the po'ouli once had a wider distribution and higher numbers, gene pool impoverishment may also be a limiting factor. The population has probably lost some of its original genetic variability which could lead to reduced ability to adapt to novel environmental perturbations, such as pig activity or introduced competitors (15).

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APPROVED PLAN:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Maui-Molokai Forest Birds
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 33 pp.

The planning of recovery actions for the Po'ouli suffers from an absence of historical information and from a sketchy knowledge of the bird's life history and ecology. Captive breeding of this species is given low priority by the Maui Forest Birds Recovery Plan. The Recovery Plan states as its principal recovery action the securing of essential habitat (i.e., land acquisition and land zoning), to be managed for forest birds. All essential habitat lies on the upper slopes of Haleakala within the boundary of the Haleakala National Park or on state or private lands (including The Nature Conservancy lands) zoned as a Conservation District. Yet the very small, localized population of po'ouli only occurs on state lands within the essential habitat. Management of habitat for forest birds should include control of feral ungulates, rodents, mosquitoes (disease vectors), and alien plants. Human access should be controlled. Badly needed is further research and censusing of the po'ouli. Not mentioned in the
recovery plan is the recent incursion of the garlic snail (Oxycheilus sp.), a predator of and competitor with small native land
snails on which the po'ouli feeds. The impact of this alien snail on the po'ouli's food base should be assessed. The recovery plan recommends public education to improve support for recovery programs. Lack of management of essential forest bird habitat on these State lands remains a serious threat to the po'ouli. Declaration of the Hanawi Natural Area Reserve secures all lands within the species range. Though de facto wilderness, these forests suffer from browsing and rooting by feral pigs, from incursion by alien plants, and from other factors leading to the degradation of forests as
habitat for native birds.

A captive breeding program including a sperm bank is being planned by the State and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and may include the po'ouli among the species propagated.

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REFERENCES EXCLUDING N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE FOR ABOVE TEXT

01 American Ornithologists' Union. 1982. Thirty-fourth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union checklist of North American birds. Suppl. to the Auk 99(3):1CC-16CC.

02 American Ornithologists' Union. 1983. Checklist of North American birds. Sixth ed. Allen Press, Lawrence, KS.
03 Anonymous. 1977. Corrigenda. 'Elepaio 37(11):139.
04 Association of Systematics Collections. n.d. Checklist of birds of the United States and the U.S. Territories. Prepared for East. Energy and Land Use Team, U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Kearneysville, WV.
05 Baldwin, P.H., and T.L.C. Casey. 1983. A preliminary list of foods of the po'o-uli. 'Elepaio 43(7):53-56.
06 Banko, W.E. 1979. History of endemic Hawaiian birds: specimens in museum collections. Avian History Rept. 2, Coop. Natl. Park Res. Studies Unit, Univ. of HI, Honolulu.
07 Berger, A.J. 1981. Hawaiian birdlife. Second ed. The Univ. Press of HI, Honolulu.
08 Casey, T.L.C. 1974. New bird in paradise. Defenders 49(2):120-131.
09 Casey, T.L.C., and J.D. Jacobi. 1974. A new genus and species of bird from the island of Maui (Passeriformes: Drepanididae). Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Occ. Papers 24(12):215-226.
10 Conant, S. 1981. Recent observations of endangered birds in Hawaii's National Parks. 'Elepaio 41(7):55-61.
11 Foote, D.E., E.L. Hill, S. Nakamura, and F. Stephens. 1972. Soil survey of island of Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, State of Hawaii. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conserv. Serv. Wash., D.C.
12 Jacobi, J.D., and T.L.C. Casey. 1974. New species of bird discovered on Maui, Hawaii. 'Elepaio 34(8):83-84.
13 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Maui-Molokai forest birds Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 33 pp.
14 Marshall, D.B. 1975. Report of the American Ornithologists' Union committee on conservation 1974-1975. Suppl. to the Auk 92(4):1B-16B.
15 Mountainspring, S., T.L.C. Casey, C.B. Kepler, and J.M. Scott. In press. Ecology, behavior and conservation of the po'o-uli. Wilson Bull.

16 Pratt, H.D. 1979. A systematic analysis of the endemic avifauna of the Hawaiian Islands. Ph.D. thesis, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA.
17 Pratt, H.D., P.L. Bruner and D.G. Berrett. 1987. A field guide to the birds of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ.

18 Pukui, M.K., and S.H. Elbert. 1986. Hawaiian dictionary. Rev. and enlarged ed. Univ. of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.
19 Pyle, R.L. 1977. Preliminary list of the birds of Hawaii. 'Elepaio 37(10):110-121.
20 Pyle, R.L. 1979. Preliminary list of the birds of Hawaii, Amendment No. 1. 'Elepaio 40(4):55-58.
21 Pyle, R.L. 1983. Checklist of the birds of Hawaii. 'Elepaio 44(5):47-58.
22 Pyle, R.L. 1986. Recent observation August - November, 1985. 'Elepaio 46(10):112.
23 Scott, J.M., S. Mountainspring, F.L. Ramsey, and C.B. Kepler. 1986. Forest bird communities of the Hawaiian Islands: their dynamics, ecology, and conservation. Studies in Avian biology No. 9. Cooper Ornithol. Soc., Lawrence, KS.
24 Shallenberger, R.J. 1974. Field notes. 'Elepaio 35(2):20.
25 Shallenberger, R.J. 1986. Hawaii's birds. Third ed. 2nd Rev. Hawaii Audubon Soc., Honolulu.
26 The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii. 1986. 1986 biological inventory of the Waikamoi Preserve. The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Honolulu.
27 Titcomb, M., and W.C. Gagne. 1976. List of Hawaiian bird names. 'Elepaio 36(10):117-126.
28 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. News release, Region 1. Portland, OR.
29 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. Reprint of 50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12, April 10. Wash., D.C. 32 pp.

REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY FOR ABOVE TEXT

01 Casey, T.L.C., and J.D Jacobi. 1974. A new genus and species of bird from the island of Maui (Passeriformes: Drepanididae). Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Occas. Pap. 24(12):215-226.
02 Conant, S. 1981. Recent observations of endangered birds in Hawaii's National Parks. 'Elepaio 41(7):55-61.
03 Jacobi, J.D., and T.L.C. Casey. 1974. New species of bird discovered on Maui, Hawaii. 'Elepaio 34(8):83-84.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Maui-Molokai Forest Birds Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 33 pp.
05 Marshall, D.B. 1975. Report of the American Ornithologists' Union committee on conservation 1974-1975. Suppl. to the Auk 92(4):1B-16B.
06 Mountainspring, S., T.L.C. Casey, C.B. Kepler, and J.M. Scott. In press. Ecology, behavior and conservation of the po'ouli. Wilson Bull.
07 Scott, J.M., S. Mountainspring, F.L. Ramsey, and C.B. Kepler.1986. Forest bird communities of the Hawaiian Islands: their dynamics, ecology, and conservation. Studies in Avian Biol. No. 9 Cooper Ornithol. Soc., Lawrence, KS.
08 Shallenberger, R.J. 1974. Field notes. 'Elepaio 35(2):18-20.
09 The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii. 1986. 1986 biological inventory of the Waikamoi Preserve. The Nature Conserv. of HI, Honolulu.

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Rat control crucial in saving rare poouli bird

by Star-Bulletin Staff

Article from the Honolulu Star Bulletin - Tuesday May 26th 1998.

Check their website for all the latest Hawaiian news at http://starbulletin.com

"We are looking extinction of a species right in the eye", says one wildlife specialist.

Scientists are urging government authorities to step up rat control in East Maui forests if the rare poouli bird is to be saved. There are three known poouli, all in the East Maui forest. Scientists were heartened recently with confirmation that the third bird is a male, thus providing hope for the future of the species. The other two are females. Scientists, at a recent meeting, concluded that rat control is essential because rats are predators of the poouli. Currently, rat bait stations are spread out in rough terrain. But scientists say the practice is costly and poses risks to health, safety and the environment.

Aerial application of rat bait would be more cost-effective and better in the long-term for protecting the birds, the scientists said. But they said they need more government money for aerial application. The State Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife has not yet decided whether to bring the birds into captivity or to allow them to try to breed in the rain forest. One idea is to build aviaries in the wild and relocate the birds there to optimize breeding.

If a poouli nest is ever found, the scientists said, eggs should be collected for artificial incubation, with the chicks being reared in captivity to be released into the wild later. Any attempts to remove the poouli or eggs from their natural habitats for 45 days or more would require additional approvals, including public hearings.

"Though many of Hawai'i's forest birds have gone extinct in the past, never has anyone been challenged to recover a bird species whose known population is less than a handful, " Forestry and Wildlife Administrator Michael Buck said. " And without a known breeding pair in the wild, we are looking at the extinction of a species right in the eye". Poouli are about five inches long and brown to dark gray. The poouli draws its name from the fact that it has a black mask across the face. Poouli is Hawaiian for "black mask".

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Scientists playing matchmaker for rare forest birds

by Valerie Monson, Staff Writer, Maui News. 1999.

Check the Hawaii News, Tourist and Vacation Information site at http://www.maui.net/

OLINDA — The humans are ready, but are the birds?

With only three known remaining poouli left in the world, all of them in different parts of the rugged East Maui rain forest, an ambitious undertaking will begin Monday to catch the elusive native Hawaiian birds, bring them together and, hopefully, save the species from extinction.

After years of planning, the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project will send a crew into the Hanawi Natural Area Reserve on a wing and a prayer. The initial 10-day field trip will involve setting up camp and getting prepared for the astonishing mission that everyone involved knows very well might not work.

"We're cautiously excited," said Barbara Maxwell of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "It's good that we're trying something, and we're hoping that it will succeed."

At Olinda, things were hectic last week as Jim Groombridge, coordinator for the recovery project, and his colleagues were making sure gear was packed and nothing vital would be left behind. After a Hawaiian blessing today, the group will head up to the rain forest of Hanawi above Nahiku on the slopes of Haleakala to start searching for the poouli, native Hawaiian honeycreepers that might be the rarest birds on the planet.

"When you're only working with three birds, it's hard to think in terms of restoring a population," said Groombridge. "But when we have a chance to save one of Hawaii's unique native species, we think this is an effort worth trying."

The poouli were first identified in 1973 in the upper rain forest of East Maui by students on a University of Hawaii expedition who couldn't believe what they saw. It was the first new Hawaiian bird species discovered since 1923 and was given its name by Mary Kawena Pukui because of its distinct black face. Based on fossil evidence, the ancestors of the poouli most likely lived in other Maui locations, including the drier habitat between 1,500 and 4,500 feet above sea level on the southwestern slope of Haleakala. Because the three known birds live in different areas of Hanawi, Groombridge and his crew will attempt to catch them in mist nets and equip them with tiny radio transmitters to help locate them and track their movements. As you might guess, that's easier said than done.

Even in ideal conditions, poouli are difficult to spot. Because their coloring ranges from dark gray to brown with white breast feathers and the black-masked face, the birds tend to blend in with branches. They've been called "secretive" in their movements and don't even sing much. "The fist step will be (to) catch the male to put the transmitter on," says Maxwell. "Just to locate him will be hard enough."

After the male's whereabouts have been determined, a female will be captured and transported to the male's neighborhood. She will travel in style because experiments with catching and moving other Maui creepers determined that the female poouli would make the journey better in a custom-built, padded box fitted with a perch instead of the usual cloth bird bag inside a container. She will be carried by the crew on foot rather than via helicopter. From there, nature must take its course.

"After being moved, the female may immediately fly back to her home range, or may decide she doesn't like the male at all — or maybe he won't like her," says Groombridge. "We have detailed contingency plans if one of the birds is injured, but of course we will make every effort to ensure that does not occur." If the first female fails to breed with the male, the crew will attempt to transport the other female to the area in hopes of making a match.

Maxwell said a variety of plans were considered regarding how best to get the birds together to reproduce. An environmental assessment was conducted in the last few years; since then, workers have focused on expanding the habitat management in the East Maui watershed and improving the area for the birds by aggressively controlling invasive weeds and predators such as rats, cats and mongooses. Construction of pig-proof fencing began in 1990 and, by 1996, 10 miles of fencing was in place to protect the upper 2,000 acres full of ohia and olapa trees that provide the most suitable surroundings for forest birds. Creepers were used as "surrogates" for the poouli during trial projects to fine-tune procedures in capturing, transporting and breeding. "With all the study they've done, they feel this is a good time to try it," says Maxwell.

Although a few poouli nests have been found in the past, the last known breeding occurred about five years ago. The three remaining birds are believed to be part of an ancient lineage of honeycreepers whose numbers declined because their previous home in the dry and mesic forests of Maui were cleared for logging, cattle ranching and agriculture. Higher up in Hanawi, pigs uprooted the understory of the precious forest, wiping out many of the snails and insects the poouli feed on.

Now, their very future in the wild depends on the efforts of a few humans determined to correct the wrongs of the past.

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State aims to mate endangered Poouli birds

by Rosemarie Bernado

Article from the Honolulu Star Bulletin - Thursday January 17th 2002.

Check their website for all the latest Hawaiian news at http://starbulletin.com

State biologists will attempt to pair two Hawaiian forest birds called poouli to save the species from extinction. According to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, only three poouli, a male and two females, are known to exist in a remote rain forest in Maui.

Michael Buck, administrator of the Forestry and Wildlife Division, said, "Our first priority was to expand habitat management in the East Maui watershed - their only known home - to reduce habitat threats to the poouli and other native forest birds. We had hoped to find other poouli in the area, but we now believe translocation may offer the only hope to continue the species."

Coordinator Jim Groombridge of the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project will lead the six-week project within the Hanawi Natural Area Reserve. Biologists plan to bring one of the female forest birds within proximity of the male forest bird. If the first female fails to breed with the male, the second female may be captured to attempt breeding.

"When your only working with three birds, it's hard to think in terms of restoring the population," Groombridge said. "But when we have a chance to save one of Hawai'i's unique native species, we think this is an effort worth trying".

The poouli was discovered in 1973 in the rainforest of East Maui by students attending a University of Hawaii expedition. It was the first new Hawaiian bird species to be discovered since 1923. Known as the only Hawaiian forest bird known to eat tree snails, the poouli is described as a small, stocky, brown forest bird with a bandit's black mask. The forest bird also eats insects, spiders and fruit. Initially, the poouli population was fewer than 200 birds, with its last known breeding to take place in 1996.

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January 2002 update on the Po'o-uli translocation

by Eric Vanderwerf, USFWS.

January 2002.

"As you probably all know, there are only three Po'o-uli remaining, one male and two females, all in Hanawi Natural Area Reserve on East Maui. the home ranges of the 3 birds are non-overlapping, and the birds do not encounter each other, so there is no chance of reproduction. As a result of an environmental Assessment written by the USFWS and the State DOFAW and subsequent public comments, it was decided that the best strategy was to translocate one of the females into the home range of the male, in hopes that they would form a pair and nest. Previous translocations of Hawaiian birds have shown that most individuals have a strong "homing instinct" and return to their original home range rather quickly, often within a few days. So for the Po'o-uli we plan to first catch the male, place a small radio transmitter on it so it can be tracked and located, then catch the female, bring her to the male's home range and release her when we know the male is nearby. We hope that ensuring the two birds actually meet will increase the chances that the female will stay put in the male's home range. Kind of a blind date service for Po'o-uli.

Well, this work is underway right now (Jan. 2002). There have been two 10 day trips to Hanawi since the new year, but unfortunately we have not yet been able to catch the male, so the female has not been translocated yet. On the most recent trip we saw the male for 3 days in a row (that alone is difficult) and we came very close to catching the male, it came within about 20 yards of the mist nets. We also had some bad weather that limited our field time".

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May 2002 update on the Po'o-uli translocation from the Maui Forest Bird Group

"The Big News for this quarter (January - April 2002) is that the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project has successfully translocated a female Po'o-uli into the male's homerange. After 42 days of intensive effort in the Hanawi rainforest, the HR1 Po'ouli was caught on April 4th, 2002. She was fitted with a transmitter and released near the most recent resights of the male." The female was captured at 1.55pm and checked for health and translocated to the release site, where it arrived at 3.30pm. She was released at 7.10pm in the male's homerange, to encourage her to roost nearby that night. Whilst in the holding cage she was offered several food items and was seen to eat waxworms and succineid snails. Signals from the transmitter confirmed that she roosted nearby that night. During the course of the day she moved in a slow north-east direction - towards her homerange! By mid-morning, she had flown over the ridge above Kuhiwa Valley. By that evening, a strong signal from the radio transmitter from the center of HR1 indicated that she had returned to her homerange. More details can be found at the following link: Maui Forest Bird Group

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End of the Road for the World's Rarest Bird?

February 2003

Scientists from the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project intend to catch all three remaining Po'ouli from the East Maui Wilderness and transfer them to a captive breeding programme at San Diego Zoo. If the programme is successful then birds will be reintroduced to the Maui forests, by which time presumably all the disease and non-native species will have been eradicated, habitat restored to "new" and the species full life-biology and ecology will have been studied!

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Po`ouli Capture Efforts Resume

News Release October 23, 2003

“Last Ditch Effort” Hopes to Bring Remaining Three Birds into Captivity. A team of biologists is resuming efforts on Maui this week to capture and bring into captivity the last three remaining po`ouli, a unique Hawaiian forest bird, known to exist. A similar attempt earlier this year was foiled by adverse weather conditions and an uncooperative or perhaps net-wary female bird. “We’re hoping for better luck this time,” said Eric VanderWerf, lead Hawaiian forest bird biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Islands office. “As a safety measure for the birds, we don’t deploy our mist-nets to capture birds during inclement weather. Not only is it dangerous for the birds, which could become hypothermic if they get too wet, but helicopter transport also isn’t available under poor visibility conditions. Last winter, we only set up nets on 22 of the scheduled 42 field days, and though we saw the po`ouli 12 times in 9 days, she was able to avoid capture.” Four week-long field trips led by Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project staff have been scheduled so far, with the first beginning on October 21 and the last extending into mid-December. The six to eight-person teams will attempt to capture the male bird first this time. If he is safely brought into captivity, the crews will move on to the two female po`ouli. “We believe that bringing the three po`ouli in from the wild is the best and last chance we have to save this unique bird from extinction,” said Paul Conry, wildlife program manager for the State DLNR’s Division of Forestry & Wildlife. “Despite our efforts to protect habitat, control weeds and predators, and translocate one of the females into the male’s territory, we have not been able to form a breeding pair in the wild. It has been a long process trying to bring these three birds together, and we hope that what we have learned over the last couple of years will allow us to be successful this time around.” The 2002 translocation project by the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project staff provided significant knowledge about how a po`ouli may react to captivity. Using that experience, biologists were able to develop a protocol for bringing the birds into captivity.After sighting the bird, they set up a mist net – a soft, fine mesh, almost invisible net – is set up in the vicinity to capture the bird. If successfully captured, the bird will be placed in a padded temporary holding cage so that is cannot injure itself. A highly qualified avian veterinarian will be on each trip to evaluate the bird’s health and stress levels. If the bird is judged to be healthy and not overly stressed, team members will then hike with the bird to the nearest helicopter landing zone, where it will be picked up and flown with the avian veterinarian to the Maui Bird Conservation Center in Olinda. The facility – like the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center on the Big Island – is operated by the Zoological Society of San Diego. “Establishing a breeding pair of po`ouli may be the most challenging task we've ever attempted,” said Alan Lieberman, avian conservation coordinator for the Zoologica Society. “We have successfully bred several Hawaiian bird species, including the `alala, puaiohi, and palila, and even reintroduced them into the wild, but to start off with only three birds, all of which are at least 6 years old, just increases the difficulties.” “We had hoped these birds could be recovered in the wild,” he continued. "But now we're running out of time, and we're committed to this last ditch effort to prevent their extinction.” The stocky little bird with a black mask is part of the Hawaiian honeycreeper family, but is so unique it occupies its own genus. It is the only Hawaiian forest bird to rely heavily on native tree snails as its food. Despite extensive searches, only three birds – a male and two females – have been found in recent years, and all in separate home ranges. The elusive po`ouli was not even discovered until 1973, when a group of University of Hawai`i students conducting research on the east slope of Haleakala sighted a bird they had never seen before. It was named “po`ouli,” which means black head in Hawaiian, by Mary Kawena Puku`i, a renowned authority on Hawaiian culture. Biologists say its quiet and infrequent call makes it much more difficult to find than more vocal species such as the Maui parrotbill.

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Christmas Bird Count 2003

A single individual was observed three times in the Hanawi area of Maui during the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) week by Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project participants: PO'OULI (1) - seen three times during count week; this is the second time this species has been seen during an Audubon Xmas bird count and possibly last (if the remaining birds are captured for the captive breeding program at San Diego Zoo). Also seen on the CBC were 3 Maui Parrotbill, 2 'Akohekohe, 9 Maui Alauahio, 47 I'iwi, 126 'Apapane and 34 'Amakihi.

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SEPTEMBER 2004

Rare poouli captured on slopes of Haleakala

By Valerie Monson Staff Writer

From the Maui News, September 11th 2004

Check out their website at:
http://www.mauinews.com/

"WAILUKU - One of the last three poouli known to exist has been captured in the forest of the Hanawi Natural Area Reserve, giving ornithologists hope they can save the species that hangs on the brink of extinction. "We're smiling a lot," said Kirsty Swinnerton, project coordinator for the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project in Olinda who accompanied the rare
female honeycreeper on a helicopter journey from the forest Friday morning. "And now we're really motivated to get the other two. One is no good on her own - she needs a mate." So this is only the first hurdle in the mission to save the poouli - possibly the rarest bird in the world - and breed them in captivity. Already, said Swinnerton, the rest of the team at Hanawi was preparing to move camp to the region frequented by the only male. Another female also remains at large. Not everyone agrees with the strategy, believing that the birds - members of the Hawaiian honeycreeper family - should be allowed to enjoy their lives freely in their preferred habitat and die naturally. Swinnerton knows those arguments and understands them, but admits that it's still hard not to do everything to keep the species going. Alan Lieberman - avian conservation coordinator for the Zoological Society of San Diego's Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, which operates the Maui Bird Conservation Center - takes the responsibility seriously. "Establishing a breeding pair of poouli may be the most challenging task we've ever attempted," he said.

The female - she hasn't been named yet, but she probably will be - was captured at 4:20 p.m. Thursday in a mist net strung up on poles in parts of the forest where she had been observed. Weather conditions, which can be miserable at Hanawi on the slopes of Haleakala, were perfect: cloudy to conceal the fine weave of the net and cool so the bird would remain active. "We'd actually seen a lot of her in the last two to three weeks," said Swinnerton. "It was better for setting up the net because we could follow the pattern of her movements." Swinnerton and her team have been making periodic attempts at capturing the birds for the last 18 months. Ironically, the capture happened on the first day of the most recent trip. Once the poouli was trapped, she was transferred to a cloth cage that was placed in a special tent equipped with monitors next to the crew's cabin. "She was amazingly calm, but she was having a good nip at them (as she was moved)," said Swinnerton. "She's a strong little thing." Because the poouli made it comfortably through the night, the decision was made to fly her down the following morning. Swinnerton said Pacific Helicopters picked them up at 7 a.m. and just made it out before the clouds overwhelmed the forest as they so frequently do. The bird was taken to the conservation center in Olinda where she was placed in quarantine to acclimate to her new, more restrictive surroundings. Gradually, she will be moved into bigger cages.

The poouli were first identified in 1973 by a group of University of Hawaii students who couldn't believe their eyes. Based on fossil evidence, the birds' ancestors are thought to have lived in other parts of Maui, including the dryland forests that once flourished on the southwestern slope of Haleakala. Hawaiian-language expert Mary Kawena Pukui christened the bird with its name because of its black "Lone Ranger" mask. This is the second time the poouli has been captured. In fact, all three were caught in 1997 and banded, but released because there was still hope they would mate in the wild. That never happened, leading experts to believe the only chance at saving the species was to attempt breeding in captivity. Because of all the complications of getting the poouli off the mountain, Swinnerton said she and the five other members of the team never got to rejoice. "They're coming out of the field next week so we'll probably get together then," she said. Until that happens, they'll most likely be flying high on their own."

Po'o-uli in the Maui forest by Jack Jeffrey

Biologists trap bird in species-saving effort

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Science Writer

Check out the Honolulu Advertiser website at:

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/

Posted on: Saturday, September 11, 2004

"A team of biologists yesterday brought into captivity one of the world's last three known po'ouli, the masked Hawaiian forest bird that has eluded capture for the past two years. Biologists have captured one of three known po'ouli still in the wild; they hope to capture the remaining two birds and establish a captive breeding population. The team will be back in the Hanawi forest of Maui next week to try to catch a second bird, and it hopes eventually to bring all three into captivity to establish a captive breeding population that will prevent the species' extinction. The last-ditch, hands-on effort follows years of failure to get the two females and male po'ouli to breed in the wild. The efforts have included aggressive control of rats and other predators, and such fanciful measures as catching a female and delivering it to the male's territory. The female promptly flew home, and it's possible the two never met. With only three known birds remaining, each in its own separate habitat, state and federal wildlife officials decided to take the drastic step of bringing them into captivity. "It's a bold attempt to rescue this bird from what we think is certain extinction," said Scott Fretz, state forest bird biologist.

Crews from the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project have been taking helicopter field trips into Maui's remote Hanawi 'ohi'a forest since February 2003, hanging delicate mist nets between the trees in attempts to catch the birds. One problem has been that po'ouli are among the most difficult of Hawaiian forest birds to spot, both because of their muted coloring of brownish backs, pale bellies and a black head, and because they are relatively quiet. Another problem for the capture team is that all three individuals have been caught before, when they were banded and released, and they seem wary of the nets. But on Thursday at about 4:20 p.m., one of the birds, a female believed to be about 7 years old, flew into a net. She tried to bite her captors, but seemed otherwise unperturbed, said Kirsty Swinnerton, coordinator of the project. "She was quite feisty, but pretty calm and pretty relaxed. She seems in really good condition, and she was eating within minutes of being placed in a cloth cage," Swinnerton said. The readiness to eat and lack of obvious indication of stress are viewed as hopeful signs. Biologists fed the bird grubs and mealworms, as well as the po'ouli's favorite food, native succineid snails, which the team quickly collected off nearby plants. Yesterday morning, the female was brought out of the forest by helicopter and delivered to the Maui Bird Conservation Center at Olinda, which is operated with state and federal funding by the San Diego Zoological Society's Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species.

The recovery team will be back in the forest in about a week to try to capture the second female. For now, they are leaving the lone male alone because he had become leery of humans. They hope that after a period of relative peace, he'll be easier to catch. The San Diego Zoo has experienced success with breeding several related Hawaiian forest birds, but the po'ouli will be a challenge, both because it is genetically quite distinct from most of the other Hawaiian honeycreepers and because there are so few to work with. "Establishing a breeding pair of po'ouli may be the most challenging task we've ever attempted. We have successfully bred several Hawaiian bird species, including the 'alala, puaiohi and palila, and even reintroduced them into the wild, but to start off with only three birds, all of which are at least 6 years old, just increases the difficulties," said Alan Lieberman, the zoo's avian conservation coordinator."

Further Updates on the Po'o-uli from September 2004 onwards will be published as separate accounts/articles and will be linked from the Articles page and the Po'o-uli account in the Annotated List of Hawai'i's Breeding Birds or the Annotated List of Hawai'i's Extinct Birds, depending on the species status from late 2004 onwards.

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References

[Also see reference list above for numbered references in text.]

AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. 1982. Thirty-fourth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union checklist of North American birds. Suppl. to the Auk 99(3):1CC-16CC.

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ASSOCIATION OF SYSTEMATICS COLLECTIONS. N.D. Checklist of birds of the United States and the U.S. Territories. Prepared for East. Energy and Land Use Team, U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Kearneysville, WV.

BALDWIN, P.H., and T.L.C. CASEY. 1983. A preliminary list of foods of the po'o-uli. 'Elepaio 43(7):53-56.

BANKO, W.E. 1979. History of endemic Hawaiian birds: specimens in museum collections. Avian History Rept. 2, Coop. Natl. Park Res. Studies Unit, Univ. of HI, Honolulu.

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CASEY, T.L.C., and J.D. JACOBI. 1974. A new genus and species of bird from the island of Maui (Passeriformes: Drepanididae). Bernice P. Bishop Mus. Occ. Papers 24(12):215-226.

COLLAR, N.J., M.J. CROSBY and A.J. STATTERSFIELD. 1994. Birds to Watch 2: The World List of Threatened Birds. Birdlife International, Cambridge, U.K.

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CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE. 1996. (Draft) Taxonomy, Status, Species Id., and references of the Poouli. Information from website [http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WWW/esis/lists/e101040.htm] dated 14th March 1996, Species Po'ouli.

ELLIS, S., C. KUEHLER, R. LACY, K. HUGHES, and U.S.SEAL. 1992. Hawai'ian Forest Birds Conservation Assessment and Management Plan. Final Report produced by the participants of the Hawai'ian Forest Birds Conservation and Management Plan Workshop held 7 - 12 December 1992, Hilo, Hawaii. Captive Breeding Specialist Group, IUCN - The World Conservation Union/Species Survival Commission.

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JACOBI, J.D., and T.L.C. CASEY. 1974. New species of bird discovered on Maui, Hawaii. 'Elepaio 34(8):83-84.

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