SMALL KAUAI THRUSH (PUAIOHI) Phaeornis palmeri (Rothschild) 



Order: PASSERIFORMES Family: TURDIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Upper parts dull brown, head darker, a white mark over 

 eye; underpart grayish, abdomen white. Differs from a similar Hawaiian thrush in 

 smaller size and flesh-colored (not dark) legs, and white mark over eye. 



Present distribution : Unknown . Observed in Alakai Swamp on island of Kauai of Hawaii . 



Former distribution : Unknown . Very few widely separated records in the native forests 

 of Kauai. 



Status: Vulnerable because of extremely restricted distribution. Exotic plants becoming 

 established in Alakai Swamp . Proposal for power and irrigation dam and reservoir on 

 edge of swamp . 



Estimated numbers : Unknown, but probably very low. 



Breeding rate in wild : Unknown . 



Reasons for decline : Destruction of native forests, but has always been rare according 

 to early collectors . 



Protective measures already taken : Protected by State and Federal law . Selective 

 limitation by State and Federal Governments of introduction of foreign species . Establish- 

 ment of the 10,000-acre Alakai Swamp Wilderness Preserve by Hawaii State regulation 

 which prohibits disturbance of the required habitat. Ecological and life history studies 

 begun. 



Measures proposed : Preservation of natural environment, including establishment of 

 permanent needed refuges . Control predators . Prevent introduction of harmful insects, 

 plants, and animals. Control of feral grazing animals. Intensify ecological and life 

 history research of the species. Publicize critical status and aesthetic and scientific 

 values. Quarantine on all birds, including cage birds brought into the State to prevent 

 introduction of disease . Initiate propagation program to develop techniques that could be 

 applied to this and other Hawaiian forest birds . 



Number in captivity : One female in Honolulu Zoo since 1968. 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unknown . 



References : 



Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Administrative Reports. 



Fisher, J. , and R. T. Peterson. 1964. World of Birds . 



Hawaii Division of Fish and Game Administrative Reports . 



Munro, G. C. 1960. Birds of Hawaii . Charles E. Tuttle Co . , Rutland, Vermont, 



and Tokyo, Japan. 192 pp. 

 Richardson, F. , and J. Bowles. 1964. A survey of the birds of Kauai, Hawaii. 

 Bernice P. Bishop, Museum Bull. 227, 51 pp. 



167 



