Rising Tide Images
Rainforest Foraging
During a momentary break in the rain, a damp-faced ‘amakihi feeds on the nectar of wet ‘ohi’a lehua. The decurved bill shape of the ‘amakihi is conducive to nectar feeding on the ‘ōhi’a lehua blossoms and for scraping bark and lichen to find insects as a protein source. One of the few remaining species of endemic honeycreepers on the island of Oahu, the ‘amakihi still thrives in higher elevation rainforests. Recent census indicates the population is stable or slightly increasing likely due to resistance to mosquito transmitted avian malaria, adaptability to feed on nonindigenous food sources, and the capacity to become habituated to human presence. The O’ahu ‘amakihi is an endemic forest bird resulting from insular evolution on the island of Oahu.
Rainforest Foraging
During a momentary break in the rain, a damp-faced ‘amakihi feeds on the nectar of wet ‘ohi’a lehua. The decurved bill shape of the ‘amakihi is conducive to nectar feeding on the ‘ōhi’a lehua blossoms and for scraping bark and lichen to find insects as a protein source. One of the few remaining species of endemic honeycreepers on the island of Oahu, the ‘amakihi still thrives in higher elevation rainforests. Recent census indicates the population is stable or slightly increasing likely due to resistance to mosquito transmitted avian malaria, adaptability to feed on nonindigenous food sources, and the capacity to become habituated to human presence. The O’ahu ‘amakihi is an endemic forest bird resulting from insular evolution on the island of Oahu.