KAUAI OO (OO AA) Moho braccatus (Cassin) 



Order: PASSERIFORMES Family: MELIPHAGIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A slender , sooty bird , with slender black bill , white 

 streaks on throat, yellow thighs, white wing patch and pointed tail. 



Present distribution : Confined to island of Kauai in Hawaii . Very local . Known to 

 occur in the Alakai Swamp. Richardson and Bowles (1964) were able to locate at least 

 12 individuals on July 21, 1960 in Alakai Swamp. Sincock (1971) found a pair at nesting 

 cavity in dead Ohia tree on May 31, 1971, near Mt. Waialeale, and saw six same area in 

 1972. 



Former distribution : Generally distributed in the heavy forest of Kauai . 



Status : Population greatly depleted. Irrigation and power dam and reservoir on edge of 

 Alakai Swamp is proposed. 



Estimated numbers : Total number unknown, but apparently very few. 



Breeding rate in the wild : Two young in nest found by Sincock . 



Reasons for decline: Encroachment of civilization on its specialized habitat with 

 reduction of heavy forest. Also possibly the effect of introduced diseases and disease- 

 carrying insects . 



Protective measures already taken : Protected by State law . Selective limitation by 

 State and Federal Governments of introductions of foreign species of birds . Establishment 

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

 prohibits disturbance of the major habitat. Research in ecology and life history in 

 progress . 



Measures proposed : Preservation of natural environment including establishment of 

 needed refuges . Prevent introduction of harmful insects, plants, and animals . Control 

 of feral grazing animals. Continue 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 applicable to other forest birds . 



Number in captivity : None known . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unknown, but probably poor . 



References : 



Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Administrative Reports . 



Hawaii Division of Fish and Game Administrative Reports. 



Munro, G. C. 1960. Birds of Hawaii. 



Richardson and Bowles. 1964. A survey of the birds of Hawaii. Bernice P. Bishop 



Museum Bull. 227. 

 Warner, R. E. 1968. The role of introduced diseases in the extinction of the 



endemic Hawaiian avifauna . 



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