Mao (bird) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mao or ma'oma'o |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gymnomyza
|
| Species: |
samoensis
|
The mao or ma'oma'o (Gymnomyza samoensis) is a special type of bird called a passerine. It belongs to the honeyeater family, which means it loves to eat nectar from flowers. This bird is only found in the Samoan Islands. It is an endangered species, which means there are not many left in the world.
Contents
About the Mao Bird
The mao is a large honeyeater. It grows to be about 28 to 31 centimeters (11 to 12 inches) long. Its feathers are mostly dark. The head and chest are almost black. Its wings and body are an olive-green color. It has a dark green spot right under its eye.
What Does it Look Like?
The mao has a long, curved bill. In adult birds, the bill is black. Young birds, called chicks or juveniles, have a yellowish bill. Their legs and feet are also black. Adult maos have light blue or brown eyes. However, all young maos have brown eyes. A fun fact about the mao is that it often bobs its tail. It does this while looking for food on tree trunks and branches.
Life Cycle and Family
Mao birds build their nests in trees. They can build them at different heights and in many types of trees. The female bird lays just one egg. This egg is whitish with brown speckles. The nest is a simple cup shape and feels a bit sticky.
The baby mao chick stays in the nest for about one month. During this time, its parents feed it small animals like geckos and insects. After leaving the nest, the young mao stays close to its family. The mother bird continues to feed it for another two to two and a half months. The young bird often follows its mother, making loud calls to ask for food.
What Sounds Does it Make?
The mao is a very noisy bird. It makes beautiful, loud whistling and mewing sounds. You can hear these sounds most often before the sun rises and around sunset. When a male and female mao are a pair, they often sing complex songs together. These are like duets!
Where Does it Live?
Today, the mao bird lives on two islands in Samoa: Upolu and Savai'i. It used to live on Tutuila island too, but it is no longer found there. The mao usually lives in mountain forests. But sometimes, people have seen it in scrubland or even in coconut trees near the coast.
Why is it Endangered?
There are not many mao birds left. Scientists believe there are only between 250 and 999 birds remaining. Their numbers are getting smaller. The biggest threats to the mao are the destruction of their forest homes. Also, new animals brought to the islands, like rats, hunt the mao. These new animals are called introduced species.
In 2014, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service considered protecting the mao. They described it as a large, olive-green honeyeater. They noted that it used to live on Upolu, Savaii, and Tutuila. Now, it is only found in small groups on Savaii and Upolu.
