Birds of the Kilauea Forest Reserve, a progress report

Abstract

The Kilauea Forest Reserve is notable for the island of Hawaii because it provides habitat for at least nine species of endemic birds, of which six species are members of the Hawaiian Honeycreeper family (Drepanididae): Amakihi, Akepa, Creeper, Akiapolaau, Apapane, and Iiwi. The other endemic species are the Hawaiian Hawk, the Elepaio, and the Hawaiian Thrush. The thrush is abundant throughout the forest, and is common even in areas that have been disturbed by cattle and by logging operations. Two species of introduced birds occur in relatively large numbers: Japanese White-eye and Red-billed Leiothrix. Other species of introduced birds are found in the pasture land adjacent to the forest but have not been seen within the forest itself. The foraging behavior of endemic and introduced species is discussed. No data are available to suggest that introduced species compete with endemic birds for food or for nesting sites. Nesting data are presented. An apparently unusual feature about the Apapane is that this species not uncommonly builds its nest on the tops of tree fern fronds, rather than in ohia trees, which is the typical site for nests of this species in ohia-tree fern forests. The adaptability of three endemic species (Elepaio, Amakihi, Akiapolaau) and two introduced species (Japanese White-eye, Red-billed Leiothrix) to wide vegetational and climatic conditions is discussed.