Status and requirements of forest birds in the Hawaiian islands: a problem analysis

Author:

Ralph, C. John

Title:

Status and requirements of forest birds in the Hawaiian islands: a problem analysis

Year:

1977

Subject:

Forest birds Endangered species birds Birds Hawaiian Islands

Summary:

In 1972, a total of 34 species of native land birds were described from the forests of the main Hawaiian Islands in the last 200 years. Of these, at least 13, or about one-third, were thought to be probably extinct over their entire range. Another 12 had at best endangered status, and of the races described, 20 had endangered status, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Only four species, the Short-eared Owl, the Elepaio, the Amakihi, and the Anianiau had no races or populations considered endangered. These rather dull statistics did not give full importance to the significance of the loss, or potential loss, of these rare Hawaiian birds. In the opinion of many, the loss of the birds was the visible indicator of a much more widespread loss of valuable native ecosystems. To determine the status and requirements of Hawaii's forest birds, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Division of Fish and Game cooperatively conducted an intensive research program. The objective was to develop information which will, hopefully, lead to developing viable populations of the endangered birds.

Collection:

Monographs