It is generally thought that a finch-like bird was among the first birds to colonize the Hawaiian Islands.
This seed-eating finch evolved into a group that became dominant among Hawaiian forest birds.
They are known today as the Hawaiian honeycreepers, because many species feed on nectar.
These birds, however, exhibit a range of variation unequaled in any continental bird family
(Source: A Pocket Guide to Hawai'i's Birds, H. Douglas Pratt, Mutual Publishing)

Three species of Honeycreepers were observed during our visits to Hosmer's Grove in the Haleakala National Park, the 'Amakihi, 'Apapane, and the 'I'iwi.

The Honeycreepers of Hawaii are among the rarest and most beautiful birds in the world.
The Honeycreepers (Drepanidinae) in particular, include species with a remarkable diversity of colors, shapes and bill structures.
Sadly, many species have seriously declined and are now extinct or endangered.
Loss of habitat has decreased the ranges of many species, and introduced diseases and predation by introduced rats, mongoose, and feral cats are also serious threats.
In Haleakala National Park on Maui, some native birds still survive where they can be observed in one of the few remaining areas of their natural environment.
(Source: Hawaii's Birds, Hawaii Audubon Society, Island Heritage Publishing, 2005)

Other Honeycreepers

The other honeycreepers shown in this gallery are primarily captive specimens photographed in various zoo's and butterfly facilities.

Please click on "original" image size for best viewing results.


Our Apapane image was featured in a recent web edition of BirdNote, a nationally syndicated radio series heard by up to a million people daily!
Click here http://www.birdnote.org/birdnote.cfm?id=2052 to visit the BirdNote story on the Apapane, where you can download the MP3 or stream the recording online.