Paroreomyza maculata

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	FRINGILLIDAE

Scientific Name:

Paroreomyza maculata

Species Authority:

(Cabanis, 1850)

Common Name/s:

English

–

O'ahu 'Alauahio, Oahu Alauahio, Oahu Creeper

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2009

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S., Bird, J.

Contributor/s:

Camp, R., Lepson, J., Nelson, J., Fretz, S., Gorresen, M., Woodworth, B., VanderWerf, E.

Justification:
The last well-documented observation of this species was in 1985, and recent searches specifically for the species have failed. It may have been driven extinct by disease spread by introduced mosquitoes. However, it cannot yet be presumed to be Extinct until all areas of remaining habitat have been thoroughly searched. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and for these reasons it is treated as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).

History:

2008	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Paroreomyza maculata is endemic to O`ahu in the Hawaiian Islands (USA), where fossil evidence indicates that it once occurred in the lowlands⁶. In the past few decades, there have only been a few confirmed sightings, with several of these from the area around North Halawa Valley, Ko`olau range⁷. However, many recent records are viewed with doubt because of its close similarity with Hemignathus flavus. The last well-documented observation was of two birds on 12 December 1985 on Poamoho Trail during the Waipi`o Christmas Bird Count¹¹; the last specimen was taken in 1968 and some consider this the last definitive record¹⁴. There have been several reports from different areas since, but details of the observations have been inconclusive and the birds were never relocated. However, it cannot yet be presumed to be Extinct until further surveys have confirmed that there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. If any population remains, it is likely to be tiny.
Countries:	Possibly extinct: United States
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Any remaining population assumed to be tiny, with the last probable sighting in 1985, despite recent searches for the species.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Population:

Any remaining population assumed to be tiny, with the last probable sighting in 1985, despite recent searches for the species.

Population Trend:

Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	In the 1890s, it was reported to eat quantities of carabid beetles, most likely wood-borers, as it was seen feeding on the dead branches of koa trees². Recent sightings have been between 300 and 650 m in remnant native, lowland mesic to wet forest ¹. One nest with two eggs was collected in late January 1901².
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Some native forests remain on O`ahu, so habitat loss and alteration cannot fully explain the decline of this species¹⁰. Disease spread by introduced mosquitoes is prevalent in the lowlands⁵ and is a likely contributory factor. Circumstantial evidence links declines of some native birds on O`ahu with the spread of introduced birds, but there is no direct evidence for their impact^9,10 and, as this species probably feeds primarily on wood-boring insects, introduced birds are unlikely to be significant competitors. The construction of the H-3 freeway (for which the US Congress gave specific exemption from the Endangered Species Act) destroyed habitat around North Halawa Valley, from which some of the most recent confirmed sightings have come^4,7.

Major Threat(s):

Some native forests remain on O`ahu, so habitat loss and alteration cannot fully explain the decline of this species¹⁰. Disease spread by introduced mosquitoes is prevalent in the lowlands⁵ and is a likely contributory factor. Circumstantial evidence links declines of some native birds on O`ahu with the spread of introduced birds, but there is no direct evidence for their impact^9,10 and, as this species probably feeds primarily on wood-boring insects, introduced birds are unlikely to be significant competitors. The construction of the H-3 freeway (for which the US Congress gave specific exemption from the Endangered Species Act) destroyed habitat around North Halawa Valley, from which some of the most recent confirmed sightings have come^4,7.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Surveys have been carried out during the 1990s to search for this species, but have failed to find any birds⁸. A "Rare Bird Discovery Protocol" has been developed which could be applied to this species in the event of its rediscovery¹². Conservation Actions Proposed Continue to conduct intensive and extensive surveys to locate any remaining populations¹, following similar methods to the Hawaii Rare Bird Search¹³. If any birds are found, start intensive monitoring, including the collection of data on vocalisations, foraging and breeding behaviour¹. If active nests are found, ensure localised predator control¹. Consider captive propagation, following development of specific techniques¹.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Surveys have been carried out during the 1990s to search for this species, but have failed to find any birds⁸. A "Rare Bird Discovery Protocol" has been developed which could be applied to this species in the event of its rediscovery¹².

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue to conduct intensive and extensive surveys to locate any remaining populations¹, following similar methods to the Hawaii Rare Bird Search¹³. If any birds are found, start intensive monitoring, including the collection of data on vocalisations, foraging and breeding behaviour¹. If active nests are found, ensure localised predator control¹. Consider captive propagation, following development of specific techniques¹.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2009. Paroreomyza maculata. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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