Puaiohi

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title: "Puaiohi" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["myadestes", "endemic-birds-of-hawaii", "biota-of-kauai", "critically-endangered-fauna-of-hawaii", "birds-described-in-1893", "taxa-named-by-walter-rothschild", "esa-endangered-species"] description: "Species of bird" topic_path: "general/myadestes" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puaiohi" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Species of bird ::

| image = Myadestes palmeri.jpg | image_upright = 1.1 | status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = | genus = Myadestes | species = palmeri | authority = (Rothschild, 1893) | synonyms = * Phaeornis palmeri

The puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri) or small Kauai thrush is a rare species of songbird in the thrush family, Turdidae, that is endemic to the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It is closely related to the other three endemic Hawaiian thrushes, the kāmao, olomao, and ōmao. It was first collected by Henry Palmer in 1891 at Halemanu around the entrance to the Kōkee State Park.

Description

The plumage is mostly nondescript, with slaty-brown upperparts and a light gray breast and belly below. Birds have a black bill and pinkish feet. A white eye ring is also fairly prominent and helps distinguish this bird from the other Hawaiian thrushes. Males and females are highly similar in appearance. Juveniles show a pattern transitioning from a spotted whitish-buff above to a scalloped gray-brown below.

Distribution and habitat

Historically, this species has always been considered rare, favoring forested ravines above 1050 m. Puaiohi are restricted to the center and southern parts of the Alakai Wilderness Preserve on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Seventy-five percent of the breeding population occurs in only 10 km2 of forest.

Diet and behavior

Outside the breeding season, most (82%) of the diet is fruit and berries, the remainder being insects and other invertebrates. Important food sources include fruits of the native olapa (Cheirodendron trigynum), lapalapa (C. platyphyllum), ōhia ha (Syzygium sandwicensis) and kanawao (Broussaisia arguta). In the breeding season, over fifty percent of the diet shifts to invertebrates. The song is varied, consisting of a simple trill to a complex wheezing, and high-pitched squeal described as a squeaking rather resembling a metal wheel needing lubrication. Males sing throughout the year, but do so with increasing frequency as the breeding season approaches, peaking from April to May. but tree cavities are also used. Females are the sole nest builders, and nest building can take up to seven days. Eggs hatch after 13–15 days. After fledging, the male becomes the primary food provider to the young, while the female attempts a second brood. Females will also attempt to re-nest if the first attempt fails.

Status and protection

According to recent data, population estimates range from 414 to 580 birds, and have remained somewhat stable since 1973, although a study published in 1986 estimated a population of approximately 100-125 birds. Puaiohi populations are vulnerable to drought, hurricanes, and mammalian predation of both eggs and young. Avian malaria also affects many birds, but a few birds have shown some resistance. (C. Atkinson, USGS, unpublished data). Feral pigs and goats also negatively affect populations of birds by degrading habitat, as has competition from many invasive plants and animals. The puaiohi was added to the United States Federal Endangered Species List on March 11, 1967. In 1995, a captive breeding program was established. Some birds from this program were being taken back to the Alakai to supplement the wild population, though this program has been liquidated and released after inbreeding depression was observed in the captive population.

References

References

1. BirdLife International.. (2023). "''Myadestes palmeri''".
2. Berger, Andrew J.. (1983). "Hawaiian Birdlife". University Press of Hawaii.
3. Collar, N. J. (2005). Puaiohi (''Myadestes palmeri''). Pp 628-629 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. eds. (2005). ''Handbook of the Birds of the World.'' Vol. 10. Cuckoo-shrikes to Thrushes. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. {{ISBN. 84-87334-72-5
4. Perkins, R. C. L. (1903). Vertebrata. pp. 365-466 in D. Sharp. (editor) Fauna Hawaiiensis. Vol. 1, part IV. The University Press, Cambridge, U.K.
5. U.S. Fish. "Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Hawaiian Forest Birds, pg 36".
6. Richardson and Bowles, F. an J.. (1961). "Records of the rare forest birds of Kauai, Hawaii". Condor.
7. U.S. Fish. "Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Hawaiian Forest Birds, pg. 37".
8. Pratt, H.D.. (1979). "A systematic analysis of the endemic avifauna of the Hawaiian Islands". Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.
9. (1983). "A first record of the nest and chicks of the small Kauai thrush". Condor.
10. (1999). "The Birds of North America". The Birds of North America, Inc..
11. Berger, Andrew J.. (1972). "Hawaiian Birdlife". University Press of Hawaii.
12. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Puaiohi-Species Profile".
13. Roberts, Pauline. "Measuring Success:Lessons Learned from the Puiaohi (''Myadestes palmeri'')".
14. Birdlife International. "Puaiohi-Birdlife Species Factsheet".

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