Translocation of the Palila, an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper

Author:

Fancy, Steven G., Snetsinger, Thomas J., Jacobi, James D.

Title:

Translocation of the Palila, an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper

Periodical:

Pacific Conservation Biology

Year:

1997

Volume:

3

Pages:

39-46

Subject:

Palila Loxioides bailleui Translocation Endangered species birds Kanakaleonui

Summary:

The Palila Loxioides bailleui is a Hawaiian honeycreeper that is restricted to high-elevation dry woodlands on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. While this endangered species once occurred in the subalpine mamane (Sophora chrysophylla) and the naio (Myoporum sandwicense) forests that were located on Mauna Kea, the northwestern slopes of Mauna Loa, and the on the eastern slopes of Hualalai, they are now found only in the southwestern, southern, and eastern slopes of Mauna Kea. This is due to habitat loss, predation and avian disease. A Palila recovery plan was implemented for the purpose of maintaining and restoring a self-sustaining population of the Palila bird distribution that occurs continuously throughout their range in a healthy, regenerating habitat as a result of feral ungulate control but the species is likely to be slow in recolonizing former ranges because of strong site tenacity. Therefore, this study was done as an experimental translocation in an effort to determine if translocated adult Palila would remain and breed at the release site. If so, successful efforts to increase the numbers of Palila outside of the Puu Laau area would increase the speed of recovery of this species.

Label:

Birds - Palila

Date:

1997

Collection:

Periodicals