Oʻahu ʻelepaio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oʻahu ʻelepaio |
|
|---|---|
_Aiea_Loop_trail,_Keaiwa_Heiau_recreation_area,_Honolulu_co,_Hawaii_-02_(23717988448).jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chasiempis
|
| Species: |
ibidis
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Oʻahu ʻelepaio (Chasiempis ibidis) is a small bird that lives only on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It's a type of monarch flycatcher, known for catching insects in the air. These birds are very special because they are found nowhere else in the world!
Contents
About the Oʻahu ʻElepaio
How Scientists Classify This Bird
For a long time, scientists thought the Oʻahu ʻElepaio was just a type, or subspecies, of the Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio. But in 2010, after more study, they decided it was different enough to be its own unique species. This means it has its own special place in the bird family tree.
What the Oʻahu ʻElepaio Looks Like
The Oʻahu ʻElepaio looks a lot like its cousin, the Hawaiʻi ʻElepaio. But you can tell them apart! The Oʻahu ʻElepaio has more white on its belly and chest. Its back and head are also a bit more reddish-brown, like rust. This makes it quite pretty and easy to spot if you know what to look for.
Dangers to the Oʻahu ʻElepaio
Threats to Survival
These birds face some big dangers. They can get sick from diseases like avian malaria and fowlpox, which are common in their population. Even though they have survived these diseases for a while, they are still a threat.
Another major problem is rats. Rats often eat the ʻelepaio's eggs and baby birds (nestlings). They can even attack adult female birds. This makes it very hard for the ʻelepaio to have enough young birds to keep their population strong.
How We Can Help
Good news! When people control the number of rats in an area, more ʻelepaio birds survive. Also, more of their nests are successful, meaning more baby birds hatch and grow up. This shows that protecting these birds from rats is very important.
Where the Oʻahu ʻElepaio Lives Now
Current Population Status
The Oʻahu ʻElepaio is an endangered species. This means there are not many of them left, and they are at risk of disappearing forever. They now live in a small area of about 47 square kilometers (18 square miles). This area is in the Koʻolau and Waiʻanae mountain ranges on Oʻahu.
Population Numbers
Today, there are only about 1,200 to 1,400 Oʻahu ʻElepaio birds left. Their population is broken up into small groups. Recent studies in the Koʻolau range showed that the population has stayed about the same since the 1990s, which is a bit of a surprise.
However, on the windward (eastern) side of the Koʻolau range, there are only about 20 birds left. Some valleys there might have only one ʻelepaio! If we don't help these small groups, they could disappear very soon.
See also
In Spanish: Monarca de Oahu para niños
