- Loxops mana
Identification
11 cm (4¼ in)
Hawai'i creepers are an inconspicuous grey and green, and are very easily confused with the far more numerous Hawaii Amakihi.
The distinctive plumage characteristics such as the "racoon mask" across the eyes and the pale throat are most strongly developed in adult males, but aren't always obvious in females and juveniles. The creeper's bill is paler and straighter than that of the 'amakihi.
Distribution
Windward Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. They are most easily observed in the Pua 'Akala tract of Hakalau Forest NWR, and can be found with great persistence in some of the larger kipukas on the eastern saddle along Powerline Road and Pu'u O'o Trail.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species1.
Formerly placed in the genus Oreomystis or alternatively in its own genus Manucerthia
Habitat
Only found at higher elevations, mostly in wet ohia and ohia-koa forests.
Behaviour
Diet
Hawai'i creepers glean insects from trunks, branches and undergrowth. They will occasionally peck at and pick away bark. The similar-looking Hawai'i 'amakihi often have a similar foraging behavior, but creepers tend to prefer deeper canopy forest, and spend more time foraging lower on tree trunks and large branches than 'amakihi do.
Breeding
A pair can remain together for several years.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Birdforum thread mentioning the proposed new genus
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2017)
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Hawaii Creeper. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 10 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Hawaii_Creeper
External Links
