(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CREEPER, HAWAII
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CREEPER, HAWAII;CREEPER, HAWAI'I; CREEPER, HAWAIIAN; CREEPER and OLIVE-GREEN
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - PASSERIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - FRINGILLIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - OREOMYSTIS,
SPECIES AND SSP - MANA,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - OREOMYSTIS MANA
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Hawai'i Creeper
Oreomystis mana (Wilson, 1891)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Fringillidae
Hawai'i creepers are small olive green birds about 5 inches long
(01). They are drab olive green above, dull white washed with olive
green on the flanks and breast; the throat is always white and
contrasts with the greenish breast in the adult (02). Field
identification of the Hawai'i creeper was problematic before the 1979
study of Scott et al. (02).
This species has had a varied classification history. It is
closely allied to the Kauai creeper, the two constituting a
superspecies (03). Early 19th century workers recognized the creeper
species on each island as separate species (04); Amadon lumped all 5
creepers into one species, Loxops maculata; the Hawai'i creeper was
given the subspecific name L. m. mana (04), which was later modified
to Loxops maculatus mana (03). Munro (06) had a similar approach, but
placed the creepers in their own genus, Paroreomyza, in which the
Hawai'i creeper was given the subspecific designation P. bairdi mana.
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
Pratt (05) conducted a systematic study of the family, later accepted
by Berger (01) and the AOU (03), that gave full species status to each
creeper. The Hawai'i creeper thus has been included as a subspecies
of the Hawaiian creeper in earlier literature, as well as having the
name olive-green creeper by those that regarded it as separate in the
earlier literature (06). The species was originally described by
Wilson in 1891 (03).
The location of the holotype was not reported in the specimen
survey by Banko (21). The following is a list of where collections
are housed, with the number of specimens in brackets. In the United
States: Bernice Pauaihi Bishop Museum in Honolulu, HI [89]; American
Museum of Natural History [41]; Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at the
University of California, Berkeley, CA. [13]; Museum of Comparative
Zoology at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA [11]; National Museum of
Natural History in Washington, D.C. [11]; Carnegie Museum in
Pittsburgh, PA [2]; California Academy of Science collection in San
Francisco, CA [2]; Cornell University Museum in Ithaca, NY [2];
University of California collection at Los Angeles, CA [1]; Academy of
Natural Sciences collection at Philadelphia, PA [1]; and Hawai'i
Volcanoes National Park collection in Hawai'i National Park, HI [1]
(21).
Illustrations of the species may be found in "Aves Hawaiienses:
the birds of the Sandwich Islands" by Wilson and Evans (09), "The
Avifauna of Laysan and the Neighbouring Islands" by Baron Rothschild
(08), "Birds of Hawai'i" by Munro (06), "The Hawaiian Honeycreepers
(Aves, Drepaniidae)" by Amadon (04), "A Field Guide to Western Birds"
by Peterson (22), in articles by Scott et al. (02), "Hawaiian
Birdlife" by Berger (01), in Sakai and Johanos (11), "Hawai'i's Birds"
by Shallenberger (07), and in "Forest Bird Communities of the Hawaiian
Islands: Their Dynamics, Ecology, and Conservation" by Scott, et al.
(10).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Non-consumptive recreational
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Hawai'i creeper (Oreomystis mana) has been designated an
Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540),
as amended. The species has this status wherever found including
the State of Hawaii.
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild
animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
DOD -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.
NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for conservation (Nat. Park System Organic Act - 16
U.S.C. 1, 2-3)/management/recovery on National Park
Service lands. Taking, possessing, or disturbing of
Federally listed species is prohibited on NPS lands
(36 CFR 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3).
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Hawai'i
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Department of Land and Natural Resources,
Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
STATE STATUTE: Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Chapter 195D.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The species is not listed by CITES or in the IUCN Red Data Book.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The Hawai'i creeper is an insectivore, probing for insects hidden
in tree bark. It is one of the rare birds sought on Hawai'i by bird
watchers.
75/04/21:40 FR 17590/17591 - Proposed listing
75/09/25:40 FR 44148/44151 - Final rule, listed as Endangered
81/02/27:46 FR 14652/14658 - Five year review
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Cropland and Pasture
Mixed Rangeland
Evergreen Forest Land
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Hawai'i creeper occur from 700 to 2,200 m elevation, with highest
densities occurring at 1,500-1,900 m (10). They occur in mesic to wet
'ohi'a, koa-'ohi'a and koa-mamane forests, and are most common in
mesic forests dominated by koa (Acacia koa) (10). They may also occur
in the corridor of open pasture with scattered trees on the northeast
slope of Mauna Kea below Kanakaleonui and in the areas of extensive
koa-'ohi'a forest that have partially been converted to
pasture/rangeland.
Nesting has been reported in koa and 'ohi'a trees. Some nests
were in tree cavities but most were cupped nests on tree branches
(11).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Arthropods
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G Tree Cavities: Unknown
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Available information indicates the Hawai'i creeper feeds
entirely on insects, spiders and other invertebrates gleaned and
probed from foliage and bark surfaces (10,14).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Nothing is known of the home range or territoriality.
PERIODICITY:
The Hawai'i creeper is a diurnal bird (15). Nothing is known of
the seasonal variation in its habits.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The Hawai'i creeper is non-migratory (01).
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The Hawai'i creeper requires native forest or woodland vegetation
for cover and shelter. They occur in mesic to wet 'ohi'a
(Metrosideros collina), koa-'ohi'a, and koa-mamane forests, and are
most common in mesic forests dominated by koa (Acacia koa) (10).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Nine nests have been reported in the literature (11). Six of
these were in koa trees, 3 in 'ohi'as (11). Two were in cavities, 7
were open cupped nests (11). The height of nest locations in the
trees ranged from 11 to 19 m (11). Outside nest walls are typically
camouflaged with mosses and liverworts; the body consisting primarily
of liverworts and various parts of ferns, the cup is lined with branch
fibers (11). Nothing is known about additional reproductive site
requirements beyond this.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The species appears to have a protracted breeding season from
January to July or August (11). Little is known about the
reproductive characteristics of this species.
PARENTAL CARE:
In one intensively studied nest, the female did most of the
building, taking about 14 days. Only the female incubated the two
eggs, which hatched in about 13 days. Fledging took place about 20
days after hatching (11).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
The current (1986) population is estimated to be about 12,500
birds (10). The population is thought to be currently limited by (a)
avian disease, which appears to be responsible for 61% of apparently
suitable habitat being unoccupied (13); (b) habitat degradation due to
feral ungulates and domestic cattle - activities of the feral pig (Sus
scrofa) appear to reduce the population density by 25% (10,13); (c)
competition for food resources from introduced birds - the Japanese
white-eye (Z. japonicus) appears to be responsible for a 25 percent
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
reduction in density (10,13); (d) reduction in habitat quality because
of exotic plant invasion, particularly banana poka (Passiflora
mollissima) (10); and (e) predation from mongooses (Herpestes
auropunctatus), black rats (Rattus rattus), Polynesian rats (R.
exulans), and feral cats (Felis catus) (10,16).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Occurrence of avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) and avian pox
(Poxvirus avium) would probably preclude the presence of Hawai'i
creepers in an area because of the suspected susceptibility and low
resistance of Hawai'i creeper to these diseases (10,17,18,19). The
obligate vector for malaria and facultative vector for pox in these
areas is the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus (20). The Japanese
white-eye is an introduced bird and a source of competition to the
Hawai'i creeper (See Population Biology above).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Disease Control Measures
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Invertebrates
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Feral Animals
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Disease
Existing Disease
Adverse Parasites
Existing Parasites
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Fire
Existing Fire
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Habitat loss and disease are the primary factors for the present
status of this species (10). Habitat loss began with burning and
clearing activities of the Polynesian colonists circa 400 AD (10,12).
It continued in the 19th century through koa harvest, cattle grazing,
and feral ungulate damage (10). Approximately 62% of the original
range has been lost through conversion to exotic vegetation (13).
Goats impacted upper elevation portions of the range, but their impact
is currently limited (10). Pigs probably first significantly
penetrated the range after introduction of the European boar; adverse
habitat modification by pigs depresses population levels and leads to
severe erosion (10,13).
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
The other primary reason for the present status is disease and
parasites. Based on the distribution of Hawaii creepers and that of
mosquitoes, the distribution of the Hawaii creeper appears to be
limited by avian malaria and pox (10). An estimated 61% of the
available habitat appears to be unoccupied due to the presence of
disease vectors (13). Other potential causes of the species' decline
or reasons for reduced population densities include competition for
food from the introduced Japanese white-eye and predation by
introduced mammalian predators (e.g., mongoose, rats, and feral cats)
(10,13,16).
Future threats are difficult to envision, but might possibly
include wildfire, excessive feral ungulate damage, and imported plant
pests and disease vectors or parasites (10).
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Hawai'i Forest Bird Recovery
Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 76 pp.
The Hawai'i creeper still occupies much of its former range at
high elevations on the windward half of Hawai'i Is. and in a few
locations in the Kona districts. Nevertheless, this range is now
patchy. The Hawai'i Forest Bird Recovery Plan proposes that the
species can be down-listed to threatened status when it occupies a
minimum of 90% of its existing habitat and when its habitat and
population are determined to be stable.
The Recovery Plan emphasizes protection of habitat by:
1) Securing the habitat and/or favorably influencing land management
practices (e.g., managing for koa (Acacia koa), cattle, and
natural areas, which may involve restricting timber harvesting,
controlling agricultural practices, and controlling development).
2) Controlling mammalian predators.
3) Reducing mosquito breeding sites.
4) Controlling exotic plants, such as banana poka (Passiflora
mollissima).
5) Restoring native forests in pastures; and
6) Reducing/eliminating feral and domestic ungulate populations.
The plan lists all lands encompassing essential habitat. The plan
also recommends:
1) Further surveys and studies of Hawai'i creeper.
2) Reducing possiblilities for introduction of new avian parasites
and disease.
3) Developing a public relations program; and
4) Developing avicultural procedures for rearing endangered birds,
should it become necessary to breed the species in captivity.
Recovery actions ongoing or completed include:
1) Ongoing acquisition of forest lands for the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
2) Ongoing removal of feral ungulates from Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park.
3) Declaration of three Natural Area Reserves on State lands:
Kipahoehoe, Laupahoehoe, and Pu'u Maka'ala; and
4) Ongoing planning and implementation of a program for captive
breeding of endangered birds by the State, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and several mainland zoos.
Much still needs to be done, particularly the securing of prime
habitat in the Kilauea Forest Reserve and on adjacent Keauhou Ranch
lands.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Berger, A.J. 1981. Hawaiian birdlife, 2nd ed. Univ. Press of
Hawai'i, Honolulu.
02 Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and H.D. Pratt. 1979. Field
identification of the Hawaiian creeper on the Island of Hawaii.
Western Birds 10:71-80.
03 American Ornithologists' Union. 1983. Check-list of North
American birds, 6th ed. Allen Press, Lawrence, KS.
04 Amadon, D. 1950. The Hawaiian honeycreepers (Aves:Drepaniidae).
Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 95:151-262.
05 Pratt, H.D., Jr. 1979. A systematic analysis of the endemic
avifauna of the Hawaiian Islands. Ph.D. diss., Louisiana State
University, Baton Rouge.
06 Munro, G.C. 1944. Birds of Hawaii. Tongg Publ. Co., Honolulu.
07 Shallenberger, R. 1984. Hawaii's birds, 3rd revised ed. Hawai'i
Audubon Soc., Honolulu.
08 Rothschild, W. 1893-1900. The Avifauna of Laysan and the
neighboring islands. 3 Vols. R.H. Porter, London.
09 Wilson, S.B. and A.H. Evans. 1890-1899. Aves Hawaiienses: The
birds of the Sandwich Islands. R.H. Porter, London.
10 Scott, J.M., S. Mountainspring, F.L. Ramsey, and C.B. Kepler.
1986. Forest bird communities of the Hawaiian Islands: Their
dynamics, ecology, and conservation. Studies in Avian Biology 9.
11 Sakai, H.F. and T.C. Johanos. 1983. The nest, egg, young, and
aspects of the life history of the endangered Hawaii creeper.
Western Birds 14:73-84.
12 Olson, S.L. and H.F. James. 1982. Prodromus of the fossil
avifauna of the Hawaiian Islands. Smithsonian Contr. Zool. 365.
13 Mountainspring, S. 1985. A quantitative analysis of limiting
factors of Hawaiian honeycreepers. On file at: Mauna Loa Field
Station, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
14 Perkins, R.C.L. 1903. Vertebrata. Pages 365-466. IN: Fauna
Hawaiiensis, Vol. 1, Part IV. D. Sharp, ed. The University Press,
Cambridge, England.
15 Mountainspring, S. 1985. Personal observations. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Mauna Loa Field Station.
16 Atkinson, I.A.E. 1977. A reassessment of factors, particularly
Rattus rattus L., that influenced the decline of endemic forest
birds in the Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Sci. 31:109-133.
17 Warner, R.E. 1968. The role of introduced diseases in the
extinction of the endemic Hawaiian avifauna. Condor 70:101-120.
18 van Riper, C., III, S.G. van Riper, M.L. Goff, and M. Laird. 1982.
The impact of malaria on birds in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Tech. Rept. 47, Coop. Nat. Res. Stud. Unit, Univ. Hawai'i,
Honolulu.
19 van Riper, S.G. and C. van Riper, III. 1985. A summary of known
parasites and diseases recorded from the avifauna of the Hawaiian
Islands. Pages 298-371. IN: Hawaii's terrestrial ecosystems:
preservation and management. C.P. Stone and J.M. Scott, eds.
Univ. Press of Hawai'i, Honolulu.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species CREEPER, HAWAII
Species Id ESIS101019
Date 14 MAR 96
20 Laird, M. and C. van Riper, III. 1981. Questionable reports of
Plasmodium from birds in Hawaii, with recognition of P. relictum
ssp. capistranoae (Russel, 1932) as the avian parasite there.
Pages 159-165. IN: Parasitological topics. E.V. Canning ed.
Soc. Protozool., Spec. Publ. 1.
21 Banko, W.E. 1979. History of endemic Hawaiian bird specimens in
museum collections. Avian History Report 2. Coop. Nat. Park. Res.
Studies Unit, Univ. Hawai'i, Honolulu.
22 Peterson, R.T. 1961. A field guide to western birds, 2nd revised
ed. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Berger, A.J. 1981. Hawaiian birdlife, 2nd ed. Univ. Press of
Hawai'i, Honolulu.
02 Scott, J.M., S. Mountainspring, F.L. Ramsey, and C.B. Kepler.
1986. Forest bird communities of the Hawaiian Islands: Their
dynamics, ecology, and conservation. Studies in Avian Biology 9.
03 Mountainspring, S. 1985. Personal observations. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Mauna Loa Field Station.
04 van Riper, C., III, J.M. Scott, and D.M. Woodside. 1978.
Distribution and abundance patterns of the palila on Mauna Kea,
Hawaii. Auk 95:518-527.
05 van Riper, C., III. 1982. Censuses and breeding observations of
birds on Kohala Mountain, Hawaii. Wilson Bull. 94:463-476.
06 Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and H.D. Pratt. 1979. Field
identification of the Hawaiian creeper on the Island of Hawaii.
Western Birds 10:71-80.
07 Perkins, R.C.L. 1903. Vertebrata. Pages 365-466. IN: Fauna
Hawaiiensis, Vol. 1, Part IV. D. Sharp ed. The University Press,
Cambridge, England.
References - 2