The discovery of an extremely rare parrot-like kiwikiu on Maui-believed to have died 605 days ago-has given scientists hope for a critically endangered species.
According to the Maui Forest Bird Restoration Project (MFBRP), this species is a Hawaiian preserve and is endemic to Maui: in addition to the neighboring Molokai Island, this bird has been found throughout the island. However, now, the combined effects of habitat loss, disease and non-native species threats restrict kiwikiu to a small part of Maui.
This bird is also known as the Maui parrot and has green and yellow colors and a large and heavy beak. Males and females of this species are paired for life, up to sixteen years. As explained by the American Bird Conservation Society, Kiwikiu had previously faced an uncertain future: the species was thought to be extinct in the first half of the 20th century, but was rediscovered in 1950.
Since then, their population size has been relatively small, currently hovering around 150.
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In a statement posted on Facebook on Friday The Hawaii Department of Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR) said that the rediscovery of this particular kiwikiu is “remarkable” because it “provides [a] A silver lining to save a species. “
According to reports, this bird was part of a translocation attempt in October 2019. Seven kiwikiu were released to the Maui Nature Reserve to help the species reproduce. However, this task did not proceed as the researchers hoped. These birds face deadly avian malaria, which is spread by non-native mosquitoes, and is encouraged by the warm and humid weather brought about by climate change. Soon, five of the seven birds were found dead, and the remaining two were missing, believed to have died of the same disease.
Now, more than 600 days later, scientists have rekindled hope for this species. According to the agency, Zach Pezzillo of DLNR announced his amazing discovery last week. “The first time I heard what I thought might be a distant kiwikiu song,” he said. “Then it sang about 10 times in the valley of some koa trees. It fell on some kolea trees, and in the next 20 minutes it called and actively foraged among berries, bark and leaves. I walked in Go to the gorge to look for it and take a closer look.”
When inspecting the bird, he noticed its obvious leg straps and clearly identified it as a male bird called “Wild No. 1” in the 2019 translocation mission.
The re-emergence of this bird shows that the species has the potential to recover and highlights the serious threats posed by factors such as climate change and rampant invasive diseases.
MFBRP coordinator Dr. Hanna Mounce explained: “Like other birds, this bird has been exposed to disease and has persisted in some way.” “This is an alarming sign of hope for the species. Because we may still have time to save them.”
She added: “This is a promising sign that Kiviu and other native forest birds can survive in the restored landscape in the future, especially free of mosquitoes and diseases.”
Weekly newspaper Attempts have been made to contact MFBRP and DLNR in Hawaii for further comments.
