









About the Apapane
The ʻapapane is a small, crimson species of Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. They are the most abundant and widely distributed honeycreeper and are found on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Maui, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
ʻApapane are small at 13 cm (5.1 in) when fully grown. They are sexually dimorphic in size: male ʻapapane have a mass of 16 g (0.56 oz), while females average 14.4 g (0.51 oz). Adult ʻapapane are overall bright crimson, with distinct white undertail-coverts and lower abdomen feathers. They have black primaries and retricies. Juvenile ʻapapane are yellow-brown and gray, with the same white plumage as adults, and molt into crimson plumage over the course of two years. 'Apapane are often seen in a tail-up posture, showing off their white feathers. Voice: ʻApapane are active singers, including in flight. There is considerable variation in their calls and songs, but phrases are often repeated. They are known to sing at a perch for 10-30 second intervals, and their song may include repeated squeaks, whistles, rasps, melodic trills, and clicking sounds.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in March · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
White-throated CanaryCrithagra albogularisThe white-throated canary is a small bird about 15 cm long with generally dull-coloured plumage and a yellow or yellow-green rump.
Golden-browed ChlorophoniaChlorophonia callophrysThe blue-crowned chlorophonia is a chunky, short-tailed, stubby-billed bird.
Hawaii AmakihiChlorodrepanis virensThe Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi is a small bird, measuring about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in length.
Learn the Apapane for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.