About the Oahu Elepaio
The Oʻahu ʻelepaio is a monarch flycatcher endemic to the Hawaiian Island of Oʻahu. It is one of the three distinct, closely related species of ʻelepaio native to the Hawaiian archipelago, including the Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio and the Kauʻi ʻelepaio. They are found in high elevations on the slopes of Oʻahu and primarily consume insects. They are currently listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, and ongoing work is being done to eliminate invasive predators and disease.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Oʻahu ʻelepaio in appearance is very similar to the closely related Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio, but the white underside extends to the flanks and further up the breast, and the upper side – especially the head – is more rust-colored, with white wing bars, tail tips, and a black or blue chin on adults, that may have white on their chin. Their bill is medium sized, blunt, and black. Juvenile Oʻahu ʻelepaio have buffy wing bars and are overall more reddish-brown. Voice: Oʻahu ʻelepaio have a distinct vocalization compared to the Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio and Kauaʻi ʻelepaio. Female Oʻahu ʻelepaio can sing, but singing is mostly done by males of this species. Types of calls made by Oʻahu ʻelepaio include chips, chatters, songs, and alarm calls, with chatter being the most common. Oʻahu ʻelepaio are the first in the morning and last at night to be observed singing.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see it
Peak activity in March · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Kauai ElepaioChasiempis sclateriThis is the most distinct ʻelepaio; adult birds have their head and back gray, with a white supercilium, a rusty-red breast and a white underside.
Hawaii ElepaioChasiempis sandwichensisThe Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio, also Hawaiian ʻelepaio, is a monarch flycatcher found on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Learn the Oahu Elepaio for real
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