SPECIES

Maui Akepa Loxops ochraceus Scientific name definitions

Jaan Kaimanu Lepson and Leonard A. Freed
Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020
Text last updated January 1, 1997

Distribution

Introduction

Extremely rare or possibly extinct (last recorded in 1988) (BirdLife International 2016) on Maui, where found in remote high-elevation rain forest on Haleakala¯ Volcano.

Historical Changes to the Distribution

Probably widespread in wet and mesic forests down to sea level before human settlement. First specimens were collected in 1879 (Finsch 1880) and last in 1900 or 1901 (Banko 1984). Locally common in mesic ‘o¯hi‘a (Metrosideros polymorpha) and koa (Acacia koa) forest on e. Maui when ornithologists visited in 1890s, collecting most of 62 known specimens (Banko 1979, JKL). Not found on w. Maui at that time (Perkins 1903). Rarely reported in twentieth century; the few recent records are widely scattered in wet ‘o¯hi‘a forest on high eastern and northern slopes of Haleakala¯ Volcano, where annual rainfall averages 900 cm in some areas. Last seen in 1988 (Engilis 1990); <10 reported sightings in past 20 yr (Conant 1981, Scott et al. 1986). Hawaiian Forest Bird Survey estimated that Maui ‘Akepa in early 1980s occupied approximately 2% of inferred original range of just over 1,000 km2 (Scott et al. 1986). This subspecies now on the verge of extinction, if not already extinct.

Figure 1. Distribution of Maui 'Akepa in early 1980s. - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Figure 1. Distribution of Maui 'Akepa in early 1980s.

Based on the most recent available data (Scott et al. 1986). All populations resident.

Recommended Citation

Lepson, J. K. and L. A. Freed (2020). Maui Akepa (Loxops ochraceus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.akepa3.01