(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CREEPER, MOLOKAI
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CREEPER, MOLOKAI; KAKAWAHIE, MOLOKAI; KAKAWAHIE; CREEPER, MOLOKA'I; KAKAWAHIE, MOLOKA'I;CREEPER;CREEPER and HAWAIIAN
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - PASSERIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - FRINGILLIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - PAROREOMYZA,
SPECIES AND SSP - FLAMMEA,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - PAROREOMYZA FLAMMEA
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Molokai Creeper
Paroreomyza flammea (Wilson, 1890)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Fringillidae
The Moloka'i creeper is distinguished from all other creepers by
it's bright plummage especially during the nuptial period (01). The
adult male is described as having deep scarlet-vermillion above,
lighter and more flame-scarlet on the forehead, rump, and upper tail
coverts. The quills and tail feathers are blackish brown and the wing
lining is pale scarlet. Below is colored all flame-scarlet. The
upper bill is light gray at tip, and pale yellow at base. The tarsi
and feet are grayish with a pink tinge and the soles are
flesh-colored.
The adult female is dark olive-brown above, washed with orange
all over, reddish on the head, rump, and upper tail-coverts. Below is
colored cadmium-orange on the chin, throat, and breast. The abdomen
is lighter and paler and the flanks are washed with olive.
The juveniles can be distinguished by the white super-orbital
lines meeting on the forehead in front and drab plummage. Young males
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
have more or less ruffous brown above and washed with deep brown on
the sides of the body. Young females are more greenish above and
tinged with yellow on the abdomen. All young have dark brown iris,
upper mandible brown with light tip, lower mandible deep salmon
colored. The tarsi and feet are gray with flesh colored soles.
The taxonomic nomenclature was revised several times for the
group of Hawaiian creepers. This species has a varied classification
history. Early 19th Century workers recognized the creepers on each
island as separate species; Loxops flammea Wilson, 1889 (1890), Proc.
Zool. Soc. London, P. 445 (Kala'e, Moloka'i) (10). Amadon lumped all
5 creeper into one species, Loxops maculata; the Moloka'i creeper was
given the subspecific name L.m. flammea Wilson (10), which was later
modified to L. maculatus flammeus (08). Relationships in the
"Hawaiian creeper" complex have been controversial (09).
Some authors would merge the currently 5 species in two genera
(Oreomystis and Paroreomyza) into a single one, Paroreomyza (or
Loxops) maculata (us) (Hawaiian creeper) (09). The 1987 Federal
listing is Paroreomyza (=Oreomystis, =Loxops) flammea (50 CFR 17.11).
Another synonym, as used by other authors, Oreomyza (=Loxops maculata)
is indicated in Berger, 1972 (01). Type specimens for this species
are located at the Cambridge British Museum of Natural History (12).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Non-consumptive recreational
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Moloka'i creeper (Paroreomyza flammea) 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.
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
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Hawai'i
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Div. of Forestry and Wildl., Dept. of
Land and Nat. Res.
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
STATE STATUTE: Hawai'i Revised statutes, Chapter 195D.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The species is listed as a critically endangered and possibly
extinct species by the IUCN (1977) and endangered (family
Drepanididae) in the 1986 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, under
the scientific name Paroreomyza maculata flammea. 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. It is among the rare birds sought on Moloka'i by bird
watchers.
70/08/25:35 FR 13519/13520 - Proposed relisting
70/10/13:35 FR 16047/16048 - Final listing
74/01/04:39 FR 01171/01178 - Relisted
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 36520/36431 - 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 -
The Moloka'i creeper is associated with the upper elevational
(3700ft-4900ft) wet ohi'a forests of Moloka'i. The understory
consists of mixed native shrubs and contain moss and leafy liverwort
cover on branches, trunks, and forest floor. The average rainfall in
this area is 75 inches per year. Annual temperatures fluctuate
between 75-65 degrees Farenheit. Nests are placed in the upright
crotch or in a horizontal fork some fifteen feet high in 'ohi'a trees.
One nest, in an unfinished condition, was seen in a kawau tree about
eight feed above the ground (07). There is no additional information
on specific habitat associations.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Arthropods
General Evergreen Trees-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
General Molluscs
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
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, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
A large portion of the Moloka'i creepers' diet is obtained from
foraging on the trunks and branches of the wet 'ohi'a forest trees and
associated mixed native shrubs. The foraging strategy of the Hawaiian
creepers has been described by various observers. Creepers forage on
the trunks and branches usually moving upside down in search of
insects in the moss and lichen covered substrates. They sometimes
come down to the base of trunks and to the ground; some hunt
habitually hunt in masses of creeping ferns as well as on the fronds
and stems forming large trunks (01). Hawaiian creepers have been
found taking catepillars, spiders, beetles, moths, myriopods, slugs
and occasionally nectar from 'ohi'a and other flowers (06).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Unknown.
PERIODICITY:
The Moloka'i creeper is a diurnal species.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
This species is non-migratory.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Unknown.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Few nests have been described for the Moloka'i creeper. The nest
is composed of moss neatly woven together to form a cup measuring 4
inches in diameter and 2.75 inches deep (07). The inside is lined
with moss and fibers from disintegrated ie'ie leaves. The bowl is
2 inches wide by 1.50 inches deep. Nests are placed in the upright
crotch or in a horizontal fork some fifteen feet high in 'ohi'a trees.
One nest, in an unfinished condition, was seen in a kawau tree about
eight feet above the ground (07).
There is nothing else known about the reproductive site
requirements of the Moloka'i creeper.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Specific reproductive characteristics are not known for the
Moloka'i creeper.
PARENTAL CARE:
Specific parental care behavior is not known for the Moloka'i
creeper.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Recovery Potential: Presently, the recovery potential for the
Moloka'i creeper is unknown. If this species should be rediscovered
in the wild there exists possibilities to ensure its survival. One of
these is the Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i's Kamakou Preserve which
lies in the historical range of the creeper and would provide means
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
for protecting and increasing its population towards recovery.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
No known specific species interrelationships exits for the
Moloka'i Creeper.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
No other bird on Moloka'i is entirely red (11). The 'Apapane has
a curved black bill and white undertail while the 'I'iwi has a long
pink sickle-bill, black wings and tail. The female Moloka'i creeper
vaguely resembles an 'Apapane, except it is paler below and does not
cock its tail up (11). The call is a loud "chirk," the song unknown
(11).
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
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 Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Disease
Existing Disease
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
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 early settlers on the islands (02).
The burning off of large tracts of forest for cultivation 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 (03). In 1868, eight
axis deer (gifts to Kamehameha V) were released on Moloka'i. Within
20 years the herd increased to about 1000 animals, continuing the
destruction of forest opened up by cattle (07).
Avian disease is known to have a severe impact on Hawaiian forest
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
birds (04). These introduced diseases such as avian pox and avian
malaria are often fatal for the native Hawaiian forest birds having
little resistance. Avian pox has been found ranging from seabirds to
passerines in Hawai'i. Avian malaria, caused by the night-biting
mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) is widespread over all of the
Hawaiian islands having an upper elevational limit of about 5,000 feet
(05).
Competition for food and cover by the omnivorous Japanese white
eye (Zosterops japonica) may pose a threat to endangered forest birds
(05). These introduced exotic passerines do not exhibit
susceptibility to the introduced avian pox and avian malaria which
impact the native birds. The extreme rarity of the Moloka'i creeper is
believed to have a direct effect on the population decrease which has
occurred over the many years.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Maui-Molokai Forest Birds
Recovery Plan. In coop. with the Maui-Molokai Forest Bird Recovery
Team. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR. 110 pp.
Recent, intensive surveys have failed to find the Moloka'i
creeper in the forests of Moloka'i. This implies that the species may
be extinct. However, until the species is declared extinct, searches
for it must continue. Once located, the species will be subject to
further planning for recovery. Captive breeding of this species is
given low priority by the Maui-Molokai Forest Birds Recovery Plan.
The recovery plan states as its principal recovery action the securing
of essential habitat (via acquisition or zoning) to be managed for
forest birds. All essential habitat lies on the upper slopes of east
Moloka'i within a Conservation District encompassing state and private
lands. Management of habitat for forest birds should include control
or elimination of feral ungulates (goats, cattle and pigs), rodents
(rattus spp. Mus musculus), mosquitoes (to control disease), limit
bird imports to reduce chance of introducing parasites and disease,
and alien plants. The recovery plan recommends public education to
improve support for recovery programs. Systematic surveys of Maui and
Moloka'i are also recommended.
Recent improvements in the status of lands on Moloka'i are a
conservation easement to Kawela, acquired by the Nature Conservancy,
and incorporation of the Oloku'i Plateau into the State Natural Area
Reserve System. Named the Kamakou Preserve, the Conservancy lands of
2,774 acres are being actively managed to restore the native
ecosystems there. The Oloku'i Natural Area Reserve of 1,700 acres is
protected on all sides by 3,000 ft cliffs and is inaccessible to feral
animals and reserve managers alike. Lack of management of essential
forest bird habitat remains a serious threat to endangered birds on
State lands north of Kawela and on private lands to the east. Though
de facto wilderness, these forests suffer browsing and rooting by
feral pigs, from incursion by alien plants, and from other factors
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 and may include the Molokai creeper among the species
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
propagated.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species CREEPER, MOLOKAI
Species Id ESIS101038
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Berger, A.J. 1972. Hawaiian Birdlife. The Univ. Press HI,
Honolulu.
02 Kirch, P.V. 1982. Transported landscapes. Natural Hist.
91(12):32-35.
03 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.
04 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.
05 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. The Maui-Molokai Forest
Bird Recovery Plan. Prep. in coop. with the Maui-Molokai Forest
Bird Recovery Team. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Portland, OR.
110 pp.
06 Conant, S. 1981. Recent observations of endangered birds in
Hawaii National Parks. Elepaio 41:55-61.
07 Bryan, W.A. 1908. Some birds of Molokai. Occ. Pap. B.P. Bishop
Mus. 4:133-176.
08 Pyle, R.L. 1983. Check-list of birds of Hawaii. Elepaio 44:
47-58.
09 American Ornithologists Union. 1983. Check-list of North
American birds, 6th ed. The Am. Ornithologists' Union, Lawrence,
KS. 877 pp.
10 Amaden, D. 1950. The Hawaiian honeycreepers (Aves, Drepaniidae).
Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 95:4.
11 Pratt, H.D., et al. 1987. A field guide to the birds of Hawaii
and the tropical Pacific. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ.
409 pp. + plates.
12 Clapp, R. 1987. Pers. comm. Smithsonian Institute, Wash. D.C.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 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.
02 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. The Maui-Molokai Forest
Bird Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Portland, OR.
References - 1