(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED; AKOHEKOHE; 'AKOHEKOHE; HONEYCREEPER and CRESTED
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - PASSERIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - FRINGILLIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - PALMERIA,
SPECIES AND SSP - DOLEI,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - PALMERIA DOLEI
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Crested Honeycreeper
Palmeria dolei (Wilson, 1891)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Fringillidae
The crested honeycreeper is a large drepanid (tribe Drepanidini,
family Fringillidae), having a total length of 6 1/2" to 7".
The feathers are primarily black tipped with orange over most of the
body. The breast and throat feathers are tipped with gray and the
wing and tail feathers are tipped with white. The prominent orange
nape and white crest above the bill are its' best identifying
characteristics. The thighs are orange or yellowish. Juvenile
cresteds are duller and lack the orange tint and white crest, but nape
may be buffy (12). The crested honeycreeper (Palmeria dolei) was
first described as Himatione dolei Wilson, 1891, Proc. Zool. Soc.
London, p. 166 (Maui). Wilson had only one specimen at the time he
described the species (09). An immature bird of the species was
collected in the Kula District Maui in July 1888 and Rothschild later
described the adult but placed it in the family Mutiphagidae (12);
Palmeria Rothschild, 1893, Ibis, p. 113. Type by monotype, Palmeria
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
mirabilis Rothschild = Himatione dolei Wilson (11).
The species is also known by the Hawaiian name akohekohe
('akohekohe). Illustrations can be found in Berger, 1972 (12) and
Pratt et al., 1987 (13). Type specimens can be found at the Cambridge
British Museum of Natural History (13).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Non-consumptive recreational
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The crested honeycreeper (Palmeria dolei) 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 foreign law; 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.
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
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Hawai'i
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Div. of For. and Wildl., Dept. of Land
and Nat. Resour.
STATE STATUTE: Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Chapter 195D.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The species is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN (1977)
and in the 1986 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals under the family
Drepanididae. This species is also listed by the U.S. in the
Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the
Western Hemisphere Annex, 1970.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The species was formerly important to forest ecosystems as an
insectivore and pollinator. It is among the many rare birds sought on
Maui by bird watchers.
67/03/11:32 FR 4001 - Original listing
69/03/08:34 FR 05034/05035 - Updated list
70/08/25:35 FR 13519/13520 - Proposed listing
70/10/13:35 FR 16047/16048 - Final ruling on previous list
74/01/04:39 FR 01171/01178 - Updated list
76/09/30:41 FR 43340/43358 - Updated list
76/10/27:41 FR 47180/47198 - Updated list to correct errors
77/07/14:42 FR 36420/36431 - Updated list
78/12/11:43 FR 58030/58048 - Updated list
79/05/21:44 FR 29566/29577 - Notice of status review
80/05/20:45 FR 33768/33781 - Updated list
83/07/27:48 FR 34182/34196 - Updated list
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Notice of review
87/07/07:52 FR 25522/25525 - Notice of 5-year review completion
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Evergreen Forest Land
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Crested honeycreepers are restricted to areas between 1800-
2150 m (5905-7055 ft) elevation, east Maui, where they are abundant is
mesic 'ohi'a-koa and wet 'ohi'a forests (02). Cresteds will feed on
understory flowers and fruits when 'ohi'a is not flowering.
Understories consisting of dense matted ferns are unsuitable for
cresteds because they tend to choke out the preferred 'ohelo
(Vaccinium calycinium) and 'akala (Rubus hawaiiensis) shrubs.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Evergreen Shrubs-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
General Evergreen Trees-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
General Arthropods
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
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
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Crested honeycreepers feed mainly on the nectar from 'ohi'a
flowers. The whitish frontal crest has been seen filled with the
entangled pollen grains from the blossoms (08,11). Cresteds also
prefer caterpillars which it obtains from the foliage and in dead
branches on trees in the wet forest (04). Cresteds will take nectar
from the flowers of other species such as tree 'ohelo (Vaccinium
calycinium) and 'akala (Rubus hawaiiensis) when 'ohi'a blooms are
unavailable (05). Cresteds also tend to dominate the large 'ohi'a
bloom canopies and are known aggressors against other nectar feeding
species such as i'iwi and 'apapane (05).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Crested honeycreepers were found to establish feeding territories
in the canopies of 'ohi'a with dense blooms (06). They are aggressive
over both i'iwi and 'apapane.
PERIODICITY:
Seasonal movement has been observed in cresteds in the Kipahulu
Valley are (06). Cresteds are found at higher elevations (1,800-
2,150 m) in March. In June and August, cresteds occur as low as
1,525 m elevation. This could represent range contraction during the
breeding season with subsequent post-breeding dispersal (06).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
This species is non-migratory.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
There is little known of specific cover requirements for the
crested honeycreeper. The species is found in 'ohi'a-lehua forests
and will desert areas opened up by cattle grazing (11).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
There is nothing known of specific reproductive site requirements
for the crested honeycreeper.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
There is little known of specific reproductive characteristics
for the crested honeycreeper. Most drepaniids nest in the spring but
the nesting season may be rather protracted (08). They are paired and
ready to nest in February and March (11).
PARENTAL CARE:
There is little known of specific parental care for the crested
honeycreeper. The young follow the parents until almost all their
plumage and full song have been acquired (11). In the winter months
they disband (11). Wing and tail molt is completed between August and
October (08).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Recovery potential for the crested honeycreeper is good. Most of
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
its' habitat is protected lands. The remaining acres in private land
should be acquired and placed under the protection of the National
Park Service. A population of about 3,800 birds remains in the upper
elevation rainforests of windward Haleakala (02 as cited in 07).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
There is little known of specific species interrelationships for
the crested honeycreeper. It is often found in accompaniment with the
'Apapane (Himatione sanquinea) (11) to which it is agressive (05).
The crested honeycreeper may similarly be driven off by the 'O'o (11)
(Moho bishopi).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
The crested honeycreeper is described as a comical boisterous
bird that sometimes flies high in the air from ridge-to-ridge. The
bird is highly vocal with many different calls including upslurred and
downslurred human-like whistles, a rolling "chirk," and a song of
wheezy and gutteral buzzy sounds (12). The whistles are easy to
imitate and it has been said it is easy to attract the bird by
imitating the whistle (11).
In misty weather the crested honeycreeper can resemble the
smaller 'Apapane, having similar shape and posture, except for white
tail tip on the crested. Immatures can be mistaken for the Bishop's
'O'o (Moho bishopi) (12).
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks
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
Adverse Disease
Existing Disease
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
Adverse Fire
Existing Fire
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
There are many reasons why the forest birds of Hawai'i are
endangered. One of the most widely documented is the destruction of
the native Hawaiian forests by the early settlers on the islands (01).
The burning off of large tracts of forest for cultivations purposes
and eventual introduction of exotic plants and animals (goats (Capra
hircus), pigs (Sus scrofa), cattle (Bos taurus), and axis deer (Axis
axis)) have severely impacted the native Hawaiian forest ecosystem.
Introduced feral ungulates disturb the native forests by foraging on
native plants causing erosion problems and creating areas where
invading exotic vegetation can be established (02). In 1868, eight
axis deer (gifts to Kamehameha V) were released on Moloka'i. Within
20 years the herd increased to about 1,000 animals, continuing the
destruction of forest opened up by cattle (06). The introduction of
arboreal rats (Rattus spp., Mus musculus), avian disease, and exotic
birds which may compete with this species, are possible causes of
decline (11).
Avian disease is known to have a severe impact on Hawaiian forest
birds (03). These introduced diseases such as avian pox and avian
malaria are often fatal for the native Hawaiian forest birds having
little resistance. Avian malaria, caused by the night-biting mosquito
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
(Culex quinquefasciatus) is widespread over all of the Hawaiian
islands having an upper elevational limit of about 5,000 ft.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. The Maui-Molokai Forest Bird
Recovery Plan. In coop. with the Maui-Molokai Forest Bird Recovery
Team. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 110 pp.
Of the forest birds endangered on Maui, the crested honeycreeper
enjoys the largest population and widest distribution, being
relatively common in native forests above 4,500 ft. Captive breeding
of this species is given low priority by the Maui Forest Birds
Recovery Plan. The recovery plan states as its principal recovery
action the securing of essential habitat, to be managed for forest
birds. All essential habitat lies on the upper slopes of Haleakala
within the boundary of the Haleakala National Park or on State or
private lands (including The Nature Conservancy lands) zoned as a
Conservation District. The recovery plan calls for acquisition of
conservation easements on private lands (other than those held by The
Conservancy) to facilitate management. Management of habitat would
include control of exotic feral ungulates (goats, pigs, and axis deer)
rodents (Rattus spp., Mus musculus), mosquitoes (to control diseases),
limit bird imports to reduce chance introductions of parasite and
diseases),and alien plants. Also needed is further research of
crested honeycreepers. The recovery plan recommends public education
to improve support for recovery programs. Systematic surveys are also
recommended.
On Maui, The Nature Conservancy has acquired a conservation
easement to a large parcel of essential habitat at Waikamoi. Future
management here should improve the habitat for forest birds. The
parcel is near other essential habitat on State-owned lands. At
Haleakala National Park, a program to control feral ungulates is well
under way. Included is Kipahulu Valley, a site inhabited by crested
honeycreepers. Lack of management of essential forest bird habitat on
State lands remains a serious problem. Declaration of the Hanawi
Natural Area Reserve secures important lands in the heart of the
honeycreeper's range. Though de facto wilderness, these forests
suffer from browsing and rooting by feral pigs, from incursion by
alien plants, and human presence leading to the degradation of forests
as habitat for native birds. Captive breeding and sperm bank programs
are being planned by the State and USFWS may include the crested
honeycreeper among the species propagated.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
References
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species CREEPER, HONEY+, CRESTED
Species Id ESIS101036
Date 14 MAR 96
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Kirch, P.V. 1982. Transported landscapes. Natural Hist.
91:(12):32-35.
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 Biol.
No. 9. 431 pp.
03 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.
Coop. Nat. Park Resour. Studies Unit Tech. Rept. 47:1-74.
04 Perkins, R.L.C. 1903. Fauna Hawaiiensis (Vertebrata). Cambridge
Univ. Press, Cambridge 1:365-466.
05 Carothers, J. 1981. An analysis of structure in a Hawaiian
Drepanidid Community. Univ. of Calif., Berkeley.
06 Conant, S. 1981. Recent observations of endangered birds in
Hawaii National Parks. Elepaio 41:55-61.
07 Stone, C.P. and J.M. Scott. 1985. Hawai'i's terrestrial
ecosystems preservation and management. Proc. of a symp. held June
5-6, 1984 at HI Volcanoes Nat. Park. Coop. Nat. Park Res. Studies
Unit, Univ. of HI, Honolulu. 104 pp.
08 Amadon, D. 1950. The Hawaiian honeycreepers (Aves, Drepaniidae).
Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 95:4.
09 Pyle, R.L. 1983. Checklist of birds of Hawaii. Elepaio 44:47-58.
10 American Ornithologists Union. 1983. Checklist of North American
birds, 6th ed. The Am. Ornithologists Union, Lawrence, KS.
877 pp.
11 Berger, A.J. 1972. Hawaiian birdlife. Univ. Press of HI,
Honolulu. 270 pp.
12 Pratt, H.D. 1987. A field guide to the birds of Hawaii and the
tropical Pacific. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ. 409 pp.
13 Clapp, R. 1987. Pers. comm. Smithsonian Institute, Wash. D.C.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Perkins, R.L.C. 1903. Fauna Hawaiiensis (Vertebrata). Cambridge
Univ. Press, Cambridge 1:365-466.
02 Bryan, W.A. 1908. Some birds of Molokai. Occ. Pap. B.P. Bishop
Mus. 4:133-176.
03 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. The Maui-Molokai Forest
Bird Recovery Plan. Prepared in coop. with the Maui-Molokai Forest
Bird Recovery Team. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Porltand, OR.
110 pp.
04 Stone, C.P. and J.M. Scott. 1985. Hawai'i's terrestrial
ecosystems: Preservation and management. Proc. of a symp. held
June 5-6, 1984 at HI Volcanoes Nat. Park. Coop. Nat. Park Resour.
Studies Unit, Univ. of HI, Honolulu. 104 pp.
05 Scott, J.M., S. Mountainspring, et al. 1986. Forest bird
communities of the Hawaiian Islands: Their dynamics, ecology, and
conservation. Studies in Avian Biol. No. 9. 431 pp.
References - 2