Current Distribution and Abundance of O‘ahu ‘Elepaio (Chasiempisibidis) in the Wai‘anae Mountains
Current Distribution and Abundance of O‘ahu ‘Elepaio (Chasiempisibidis) in the Wai‘anae Mountains
Date
2011-07
Authors
VanderWerf, Eric A.
Mosher, Stephen M.
Burt, Matthew D.
Taylor, Philip E.
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Honolulu, University of Hawaii
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
The O‘ahu ‘Elepaio (Chasiempis ibidis) is an endangered forest bird endemic to O‘ahu and has declined steadily during the past century. Current
information on distribution and abundance is needed to help assess the species status and identify areas where recovery efforts can be focused. We used spotmapping methods to census O‘ahu ‘Elepaio in all suitable forest habitat in the Wai‘anae Mountains from 2006 to 2010 and compared results with previous
surveys from the 1990s. We detected a total of 300 O‘ahu ‘Elepaio, including 108 breeding pairs and 84 single males. The sex ratio was strongly male biased
due to nest predation on females. Their distribution was extremely fragmented, and the only concentrations were in ‘Ëkahanui (38 pairs), Schofield Barracks
West Range (40 pairs), and Pälehua (15 pairs). We failed to detect ‘Elepaio in many areas where they were observed in the 1990s. ‘Elepaio have become more
sparse in other areas, indicating that they are continuing to decline. Nest predation by alien black rats (Rattus rattus) and mosquito-borne diseases are the
greatest threats. Rat control programs have helped reduce nest predation and stop declines in several areas, but only a fraction of remaining ‘Elepaio benefit
from active management and further declines can be expected unless rats are controlled on a larger scale. Alternative methods of rat control should be explored, and restoration of native trees that are less attractive to rats might provide safer nest sites and reduce the need for rat control.
Description
v. ill. 23 cm.
Also available through BioOne: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2984/65.3.311
Quarterly
Also available through BioOne: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2984/65.3.311
Quarterly
Keywords
Citation
VanderWerf E, Mosher S, Burt M, Taylor P. Current Distribution and Abundance of O‘ahu ‘Elepaio (Chasiempisibidis) in the Wai‘anae Mountains. Pac Sci 65(3): 311-319.
Extent
10 pages
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Rights
Rights Holder
Collections
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.