`I`iwi

The Iiwi is an Hawaiian forest bird in the endemic honeycreeper subfamily of the Fringillidae (finch family). Iiwi are medium-sized forest birds (total body length is approximately 14 centimeters (cm) (5.5 inches (in)) with bright scarlet feathers, black wings and tail, and a small white patch on the inner secondary flight feathers. The bill is long, deeply decurved, and salmon in color. Juveniles are differentiated by their buff color with black spots, and shorter bills which change in color from dusky yellow to salmon as they mature (Fancy and Ralph 1998, p. 2). Iiwi are widely recognized as one of the most spectacular and iconic of the extant Hawaiian forest birds. Iiwi songs are complex and include variable creaks often described as a “rusty hinge” sound, whistles, or gurgling sounds, and sometimes mimic other birds (Fancy and Ralph 1998, p. 5; Hawaii Audubon Society 2011, p. 97). Iiwi are strong fliers that move long distances to locate nectar sources, and are well known for their seasonal movements in response to the availability of flowering ohia and mamane for feeding (Fancy and Ralph 1998, p. 3; Kuntz 2008, p. 1; Guillamet et al. 2016, p. 192). Such movements generally occur after the breeding season.