History of endemic Hawaiian birds: Part I: population histories, species accounts: forest birds: Hawaiian thrushes

Abstract

Phaeornis obscurus is a medium-sized (7-8 inch long brownish thrush with light to dark gray underparts. It was first described in 1789. Exhaustive search uncovered some 517 observations, collection records, reports and related statements on relative abundance and geographical distribution from ca. 1778 to 1978. All data are arranged in order and systematically analyzed. Distributional records are shown by U. S. Geological Survey quadrangle. References and names of observers are cited. Completeness of data, bias, erroneous and doubtful records are addressed. Findings are summarized. It is concluded that all five subspecies have suffered catastrophic depopulations with only one subspecies (P. o. obscurus on the island of Hawai'i) given much chance of long-term survival.

Phaeornis palmeri is a medium-sized (6-7 inch long) olive to ashy-brown thrush with whitish abdomen endemic to Kaua'i. It was first described in 1893. Exhaustive search uncovered some 36 observations, collection records, reports and related statements on relative abundance and geographical distribution from 1891 to 1978. All data are arranged in order and systematically analyzed. Distributional records are shown by U. S. Geological Survey quadrangle. References and names of observers are cited. Completeness of data, bias, erroneous and doubtful records are addressed. Findings are summarized. Until such time as results of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service surveys are published it is concluded that the Puaiohi is on the verge of final disappearance if not actually extinct.