OU Psittirostra psittacea (Gmelin) 



Order: PASSERIFORMES Family: DREPANIDIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Small bird with short, parrot-like bill, yellow head, 

 and olive green back, wings, and tail. Underparts greenish-gray. Female has green 

 head and duller plumage . 



Present distribution : Islands of Kauai (Alakai Swamp) and Hawaii in Hawaii. One seen 

 near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park headquarters, Hawaii, July 19, 1970. 



Former distribution : Islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii. 



Status : Very rare in restricted, vulnerable habitat. Less rare on Kauai. Irrigation and 

 power dam and reservoir proposed on edge of Alakai Swamp. 



Estimated numbers : Unknown . 



Breeding rate in the wild : Unknown . 



Reasons for decline : Possibly introduced avian diseases and parasites . Possibly 

 alteration of habitat by invasion of foreign plants or browsing by feral pigs, goats 

 and domestic livestock . 



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

 State and Federal Governments of introduction 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 on Kauai. Field investigations in progress. 



Measures proposed : Preservation of natural environment including establishment of 

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

 of feral grazing animals and domestic stock. Initiate ecological and life history research. 

 Initiate propagation program and develop techniques which may be applied to Hawaiian 

 Forest birds . Publicize critical status and aesthetic and scientific values . Quarantine on 

 all birds , including cage birds brought into the State to prevent introduction of disease . 



Number in captivity : None known. 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unknown . 



References : 



Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Administrative Reports. 



Greenway, J. C. , Jr. 1958. Extinct and vanishing birds of the world. 



Hawaii Division of Fish and Game Administrative Reports. 



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



Richardson and Bowles . 1961 . Record of the rarer native forest birds of 



Kauai, Hawaii, Condor 63:179-180. 

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



endemic Hawaiian avifauna. Condor 70:101-120. 



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