ComingsBirds.com/Birdgroups-G-L

To the Beauty of Birds

The ‘Akepa Loxops coccineus, is one of the smallest Hawaiian forest birds, at four inches/10 grams. Akepa is a Hawaiian term meaning "agile", befitting their active foraging at branch tips. Found only in high elevation old growth rainforest, these non-migratory birds have rounded heads, black eyes, and black wings and tail. Adult males sport one of the most brilliant orange colors found in any bird, a plumage which takes four years to develop.

All 'Akepa have an unusual cross-bill. When closed, the upper bill tip slightly overlaps the lower bill tip to one side (this cannot be seen in the field). When opening the bill, as in prying open leaf buds to extract small caterpillars, the bills swing dramatically sideways, and this is easily seen in the hand. Some birds cross one way, and some the other, apparently randomly. The ʻAkepa cross-bill operates similarly to that in the North American crossbills (genus Loxia) but is much less obvious when the bill is closed.

ʻAkepa are usually found from 1,500 to 2,200 meters above sea level. They are non-territorial, and group male displays have been often observed in the beginning of the breeding season. They participate in mixed-species flocks during the non-breeding season. They are highly endangered. Wikipedia

This photograph was taken by Javan Rasnake, one of our fellow birders on our trip to Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge with Jack Jefferys as our guide.

Akepa

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