Palmeria dolei

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:

Palmeria dolei

Species Authority:

(Wilson, 1891)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Akohekohe, 'Akohekohe, Crested Honeycreeper

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2009

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

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

Contributor/s:

Baker, P., Camp, R., VanderWerf, E., Fretz, S., Gorresen, M., Woodworth, B.

Justification:
This species is listed as Critically Endangered because habitat within its extremely small range is being degraded through grazing by feral goats, with an imminent threat from feral deer posing a new pressure. It remains at risk from the effects of exotic taxa. A particular concern is the possible introduction of a disease-carrying mosquito species tolerant of the cooler climate at higher altitudes, thereby bringing currently safe populations of birds into contact with lethal diseases.

History:

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

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Palmeria dolei occurs on Maui in the Hawaiian Islands (USA) and is extinct on Moloka`i (last confirmed observations in 1907). On Maui, it remains moderately common within 58 km² on the north-eastern slopes of Haleakala, with a population estimated at c.3,800 birds in 1980⁸. Surveys in the 1990s to 1997 indicate stability, although areas outside protected areas were not necessarily covered^3,4.
Countries:	Native: United States
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Scott et al. (1986).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Scott et al. (1986).

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs in mesic `ohi`a-koa and wet `ohi`a forest from 1,100-2,300 m (99% above 1,500 m, mostly below 2,100 m). It primarily feeds on `ohi`a nectar, also taking invertebrates, especially caterpillars. When `ohi`a bloom is at its seasonal low, it feeds on subcanopy and understory flowers and fruit^1,2,8,11. Average adult male home range is 0.56 ha, giving rise to density figures of 2.9 birds/ha¹⁴. All known nests have been in `ohi`a trees³. It raises 1-2 young per nest, usually nesting twice seasonally (November to June¹³), and has a relatively high success rate^11,13. Adult survivorship is similarly high¹³. Birds, perhaps especially immatures, may disperse to lower elevations³.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It occurs in mesic `ohi`a-koa and wet `ohi`a forest from 1,100-2,300 m (99% above 1,500 m, mostly below 2,100 m). It primarily feeds on `ohi`a nectar, also taking invertebrates, especially caterpillars. When `ohi`a bloom is at its seasonal low, it feeds on subcanopy and understory flowers and fruit^1,2,8,11. Average adult male home range is 0.56 ha, giving rise to density figures of 2.9 birds/ha¹⁴. All known nests have been in `ohi`a trees³. It raises 1-2 young per nest, usually nesting twice seasonally (November to June¹³), and has a relatively high success rate^11,13. Adult survivorship is similarly high¹³. Birds, perhaps especially immatures, may disperse to lower elevations³.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Habitat destruction and modification and the rapid spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes in the lowlands are thought to be responsible for past declines. The species may be particularly vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases because it migrates altitudinally in response to varying `ohi`a flowering physiology, potentially increasing exposure to mosquitoes at lower elevations¹⁵. From 1945 to 1995, the spread of feral pigs on Haleakala caused chronic habitat degradation⁵ and facilitated the spread of mosquitoes into remote rainforests⁶. In Hanawi Natural Area Reserve, there was a 473% increase in pig activity, as indexed by ground-cover disturbance, during 1970-1997⁷, and this reduced alternative food sources to `ohi`a bloom³. Predation by introduced rats, cats and Barn Owl Tyto alba and possibly small Indian mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus is a further limiting factor^3,9,11,12.

Major Threat(s):

Habitat destruction and modification and the rapid spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes in the lowlands are thought to be responsible for past declines. The species may be particularly vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases because it migrates altitudinally in response to varying `ohi`a flowering physiology, potentially increasing exposure to mosquitoes at lower elevations¹⁵. From 1945 to 1995, the spread of feral pigs on Haleakala caused chronic habitat degradation⁵ and facilitated the spread of mosquitoes into remote rainforests⁶. In Hanawi Natural Area Reserve, there was a 473% increase in pig activity, as indexed by ground-cover disturbance, during 1970-1997⁷, and this reduced alternative food sources to `ohi`a bloom³. Predation by introduced rats, cats and Barn Owl Tyto alba and possibly small Indian mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus is a further limiting factor^3,9,11,12.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Cooperative management of the East Maui watershed includes fencing at c.1,070 m and removal of feral ungulates^1,5. In the Waikamoi Preserve, Hanawi Natural Area Reserve and Haleakala National Park, conservation practices combat the establishment of alien plants and, from the late 1980s, feral pigs have been controlled^5,10. Research into captive breeding is underway, and six individuals have been hatched from late-stage wild eggs¹⁵. A banding study investigating productivity and survival began in 2008¹⁶. Conservation Actions Proposed Carry out surveys to obtain an up-to-date estimate of the population size. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Preserve remote and ecologically diverse areas, especially on the northern slopes of Haleakala³. Extend plant control to areas outside reserves, especially at mid-elevations^5,10. Complete and routinely monitor the East Maui watershed habitat conservation programme^1,11. Establish a population in historically occupied habitat to reduce the threat from catastrophes that could wipe out a single population¹⁵. Continue monitoring of captive-breeding efforts.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Cooperative management of the East Maui watershed includes fencing at c.1,070 m and removal of feral ungulates^1,5. In the Waikamoi Preserve, Hanawi Natural Area Reserve and Haleakala National Park, conservation practices combat the establishment of alien plants and, from the late 1980s, feral pigs have been controlled^5,10. Research into captive breeding is underway, and six individuals have been hatched from late-stage wild eggs¹⁵. A banding study investigating productivity and survival began in 2008¹⁶.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to obtain an up-to-date estimate of the population size. Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Preserve remote and ecologically diverse areas, especially on the northern slopes of Haleakala³. Extend plant control to areas outside reserves, especially at mid-elevations^5,10. Complete and routinely monitor the East Maui watershed habitat conservation programme^1,11. Establish a population in historically occupied habitat to reduce the threat from catastrophes that could wipe out a single population¹⁵. Continue monitoring of captive-breeding efforts.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2009. Palmeria dolei. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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