Palila

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Palila

Conservation status

Endangered

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Fringillidae
Genus:	Loxioides
Species:	L. bailleui

Binomial name

Loxioides bailleui
(Oustalet, 1877)

The Palila is an endangered finch-billed Hawaiian honeycreeper. It is in the true finch family, Fringillidae. It has a golden-yellow head and breast, with a gray or white belly. The bird is in a close symbiotic relationship with the Mamane. The palila is also an endangered species primaraily due to habitat destruction.

1 Taxonomy
2 Distribution
3 Physical Description
4 Ecology and Behaviour
5 Conservation
6 References

[edit] Taxonomy

Oustalet, the taxonomic author, first described the bird in 1877.Originally, Loxioides bailleui was included with several other Hawaiian honeycreeper species in Psittirostra. Currently, the palila is placed in the monotypic genus Loxioides. Other common names are o'u-po'opapale and 'o'u-po'opapale ^[1].

[edit] Distribution

Currently, the palila can be found only on the upper slopes of Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii. Palila live ranging from about 6,500 ft to 9,500 ft (2000 m to 2900 m) above sea level. The population density of the bird increases in areas where food supplies, mamane seed pods, are more available.

Palilas are found in less than 10 percent of their native range. Prehistorically, the palila even inhabited low elevation areas on O`ahu. The palila was abundant throughout Hawaii, until the beginning of the 20th century. It lived from on the upper slopes of Mauna Kea, the northwest slopes of Mauna Loa, and the eastern slopes of Hualālai. Then, as early as 1944, scientists believed the bird almost extinct. In 1975, it was estimated that only 1,614 palilas existed. From annual counts, between 1980 and 1996, variable estimates of population range from 1,584 to 5,683 palilas, though there are no consistent trends. As of 1997, west slope of Mauna Kea contains 72% of the population. The entire population, an estimated 4,396 birds, occupied an estimated 78 km².

[edit] Physical Description

Palila

Palilas have a yellow heads and breasts, with white plumage ventrally and grey plumage dorsally. The wings and the tails are greenish. The finches also have heavy black bills. The palila is one of the measure from 6 in to 7 in.

There is some sexual dimorphism within the species. Males tend to have brighter colors overall, as well as black masks between their bills and eyes.

[edit] Ecology and Behaviour

Palila Perched on Mamane

The palila favours dry mamane and mamane-naio forests, usually between 2,000 m to 2,850 m above sea level. Pukiawe, grasslands, lava fields, and other types of native understories are necessary for their survival.

The diet of the palila is almost exclusively the seeds of immature mamane seed pods. They feed on the seeds by holding the pod with one foot and removing the green, bitter seeds using their thick, specialized bill. Palilas also eat naio berries, and mamane flowers, buds, and young leaves. Additionally, Palilas feed on caterpillars, particularly those of Mamane Coddling Moths. Caterpillars, as well as other insects, provide their main source of protein.

The abundance of mamane seeds affects reproduction rates and adult survival. Palilas start to eat the seeds at higher elevations and then gradually move downslope. During droughts, when mamane seeds are scarce, most birds do not even attempt to breed.

The palila has a short call and a melodious song. The call has two syllables and is loudly communicated between birds advertising food during the morning and evening.

The birds breed from February up to September. The female constructs the nest, and grasses, stems, roots, and branch bark from the mamane trees provide the building material. Lichen and leaves layer the inside of the nest. Usually the palila clutch size is two eggs. Both parents regurgitate food to feed their young. The juveniles remain in the nest for up to 31 days before fledging.

[edit] Conservation

On March 11, 1967, palilas were listed as an endangered species. Today, they inhabit less than 10 percent of their historical range. In 1978, federal courts ruled to remove feral sheep and goats from critical habitats of the bird.