The species Greater Amakihi is extinct. |
- Viridonia sagittirostris
Hemignathus sagittirostris
Identification
They were superficially similar to the Hawaii Amakihi, though with a straighter bill and much larger at 17 cm.
Distribution
Greater 'Amakihi were found only in a very small region at 150-1200 meters elevation along the Wailuku River, above Hilo, on the island of Hawai'i. Their strictly low elevation distribution is unique among the historically known honeycreepers. Last seen in 1901. By the 1950's much of their known habitat had been inundated by lava or cleared for agriculture. They were known to some collectors as "green solitaires".
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Formerly placed in the genus Hemignathus.
Habitat
Rainforest.
Behaviour
They foraged by gleaning foliage, probing bark crevices, and notably searching the leaf axils of 'ie'ie vines.
Referemces
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Greater Amakihi. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 8 December 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Greater_Amakihi