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birds

Like many of the plants of Maui and the Hawaiian islands, the native birds of East Maui have adapted and evolved to co-exist in the unique and complex ecosystem of the developing islands. Here you will learn about honeycreepers and other birds that can be found in the East Maui Watershed. You can also hear what they sound like by clicking on their pictures, or the list on the right.

honeycreepers

Millions of years ago, after the eruptions of volcanoes formed land masses in the middle of the Pacific ocean, different species of birds, plants and insects too! found their way to these new islands by one of three ways: wings, waves, or wind.

Scientists believe that all of East Maui's forest songbirds (passerines) had evolved from an unknown finch-like species. These birds are collectively called honeycreepers.

Over the years, the birds adapted to their new environment, along with the other birds, plants and insects to become what they are today - a diverse group of anatomically different songbirds that inhabit the forests of East Maui.

However, threats to the watershed have diminished the numbers of these birds drastically, sometimes causing extinction. The chances of seeing a Hawaiian honeycreeper among human habitation are slim to none. The Po'ouli, pictured here, is fighting extinction as we speak. There are only two individuals known to exist. The third individual had been caught for captive breeding purposes, with the intent of bringing in the other two to breeding facilities as well. However, this individual died in captivity recently on November 26, 2004.
Read complete story. GO>>

The Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project is an organization that works specifically with the protection and research of native honeycreepers in the Hanawi Natural Area Reserve, a section of pristine rainforest within the East Maui Watershed. All of the honeycreeper photos below are courtesy of MFBRP.

 

 
What does a honeycreeper sound like? Click below to find out.

'Akohekohe
Maui Parrotbill
Po'ouli
'Amakihi
Maui 'Alauahio
'Apapane
I'iwi
 
 


For more information, email us at
info@eastmauiwatershed.org