Hawaii Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis)

Other Names (World)
Hawaii Elepaio, Elepaio

Family
Monarchidae (Monarch-flycatchers)

Size
14 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Gmelin, 1789)

Habitat
Subtropical and tropical montane moist forest. From sea-level - 3,100 m.

Range (Guide)

USA.

Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.

Population
Estimated population is 216,000 (2011) and decreasing.

Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation by feral ungulates, introduced grasses suppress regeneration, fires, avian pox and malaria, are the main threats.

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Food
Insects and other invertebrates.

Voice
Song is a lively whistled 'eh-leh-PYE-o', given in series of four with emphasis on the third phrase. Calls include a sharp 'chup', a two-note 'squeak-it' like dog's toy, and raspy chatter.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (15)...)

Hawaii Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) [XC385495]
by Ulf Elman from Kipuka Ki, Mauna Loa rd, Hawaii (Big island), United States (song)

Hawaii Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) [XC385134]
by Saxony Charlot from Kipuka Ki, Mauna Loa rd, Hawaii (Big island), United States (alarm call, song)

Subspecies
Chasiempis sandwichensis has been split into Hawaii Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis), Kauai Elepaio (Chasiempis sclateri) and Oahu Elepaio (Chasiempis ibidis) following AOU (2010).

Subspecies bryani and ridgwayi sometimes merged with nominate. Oahu subspecies sometimes referred to as gayi, but name ibidis has priority.

The following 5 subspecies are recognised:

sclateri (Gmelin, 1789) - Kauai, in western Hawaiian Is. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Kauai Elepaio (Chasiempis sclateri).
ibidis Stejneger, 1887 - Oahu (west-central Hawaiian Is). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Oahu Elepaio (Chasiempis ibidis).
sandwichensis (Gmelin, 1789) - Hawaii I (drier areas in western and south).
bryani Pratt, 1979 - North-central Hawaii I (high dry slopes of Mauna Kea).
ridgwayi Stejneger, 1887 - Eastern Hawaii I (wet slopes in Hilo District).

Similar Species
Introduced Japanese Bush-Warbler (Horornis diphone) with prominent eyebrow and no white markings. Introduced juvenile White-rumped Shama (Kittacincla malabarica) is larger, darker above, with dark spots on breast.

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Hawaii Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

For more information about the Hawaii Elepaio see... Show Articles

BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Articles about the Hawaii Elepaio

If you would like to read any articles about the Hawaii Elepaio...

Show Articles (0)

No Pictures of Hawaii Elepaio

If Birdpedia has no pictures of Hawaii Elepaio or you would like to see more, then try the following...

Show External Images from BING

From BING (10)

No Videos of Hawaii Elepaio

If Birdpedia has no videos of Hawaii Elepaio or you would like to see more, then try the following..

Show External Videos

From BING (0)