Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 14,000 (2010) and stable.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation through logging and agriculture, and by commensal animals which have invaded montane forests, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Small insects (including caterpillars) and spiders.
Voice
Song is a slow, lackadaisical trill that changes pitch and speed. Call is a distinctive 'cheedle-ee'.
Hawaii Akepa (Loxops coccineus) [XC27348]
by Daniel Lane from Hakalau NWR, E slope Mauna Kea, Hawai'i (Big Island), HA, United States (song)
Hawaii Akepa (Loxops coccineus) [XC122672]
by Brooks Rownd from plr55, Kipuka Ahiu, Powerline Road, Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States (call)
Subspecies
Until recently considered conspecific with Loxops ochraceus and Loxops wolstenholmei (latter, confined to Oahu, now extinct), but very recent DNA studies reveal genetic distances among the three to be equivalent to that between them and sister-species Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris). Formerly regarded as conspecific also with Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris).
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
coccineus (Gmelin, 1789) - Hawaii.
ochraceus Rothschild, 1893 - Maui. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Maui Akepa (Loxops ochraceus).
wolstenholmei! Rothschild, 1893 - Oahu. Extinct. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Oahu Akepa (Loxops wolstenholmei).
Similar Species
Hawaii Creeper (Manucerthia mana) resembles female, but has darker face and very different behaviour. Dull-plumaged Hawaii Amakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens) has curved bill, dark lores.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet