Cavity nesting of the Akepa on the island of Hawaii

Author:

Sincock, John L.

Title:

Cavity nesting of the Akepa on the island of Hawaii

Periodical:

Wilson Bulletin

Year:

1980

Volume:

92

Pages:

261-263

Subject:

Hawaii Akepa Loxops coccineus Endangered species birds Nest building

Summary:

This document describes the cavity nesting habits of the Akepa (L. c. coccineus) that took place during a study that was done in 1976. While considered endangered, it was discovered that the Akepa was relatively common between the 1400 and 1900m elevation in the Kau forest where, not only were 30 - 40 adults seen or heard, a nest and eggs were also found in the cavity of an ohia tree. The tree was located near the upper edge of the Kau Forest Reserve at approximately the 1884m elevation and 90m east of the Kahuku Ranch cabin where the activities that took place at the nest were recorded from 12 May - 14 June 1976. The study began with the discovery of the nest and three eggs, followed by an estimated two-week incubation period that was covered by a female, a courtship feeding that was done by a male, the eventual hatching of two eggs, the numerous visits that were made to the nest by both the female and male for the purpose of feeding the nestlings and removing the fecal sacs, and the eventual fledging of the nestlings. While it still needed to be determined as to whether or not cavity nesting was characteristic of the Akepa on Hawaii, cavity nesting in trees suggested that artificial nesting structures might be used. As a result, several types of artificial nests were being tested.

Label:

Birds - General

URL:

https://sora.unm.edu/node/129739

Collection:

Periodicals