HAWAII AKEPA (AKEPA) Loxops coccinea coccinea (Gmelin) 



Order: PASSERIFORMES Family: DREPANIDIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Small bird with short, light colored, pointed bill. 

 Males are bright reddish orange, somewhat duller on the back and with dusky wings 

 and tail. Females greenish-yellow below, olive or yellowish green above. 



Present distribution: Confined to very limited areas of native forests and widely 

 scattered on Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai on the island of Hawaii. 



Former distribution : Same as present but much more widespread. Found in all native 

 forests according to Munro. 



Status: Appears in very small numbers. Populations declining. Only four seen in 

 recent years despite intensive search by Winston Banko in formerly occupied habitats. 

 About a dozen were seen by him April, 1971 in Kaalaa, Kau District. 



Estimated numbers : No estimate, but very low. 



Breeding rate in the wild : Unknown . 



Reasons for decline : Introduction of foreign birds, avian diseases, and insect vectors. 

 Elimination and alteration of native forest by man and introduced ungulates, including 

 domestic livestock and feral goats . 



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

 State and Federal Government of introduction of foreign species of birds . Field 

 investigations are underway to develop guidelines for action programs. 



Measures proposed : Preservation of natural environment and establishment of wildlife 

 refuges. Control of domestic and feral grazing animals. Conduct 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 . Captive propagation and develop techniques applicable to 

 Hawaiian forest birds . 



Number in captivity : None known. 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unknown . 



References : 



Amadon, D. 1950. The Hawaiian Honeycreepers (Aves , Drepaniidae) . Bull. Amer. 



Mus. Nat. Hist. 95:155-262. 

 Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Administrative Reports 

 Hawaii Division of Fish and Game Administrative Reports . 

 Munro, G.C. 1960. Birds of Hawaii . Ridgeway Press . Revised Edition. 



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