Akikiki
CR

Akikiki

Oreomystis bairdi

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CA%BBAkikiki

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Oreomystis bairdi faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from cattle grazing and invasive plant species that degrade native understory vegetation. Introduced predators, particularly feral cats and rats, pose significant threats to nesting birds and their eggs. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by altering the montane forest ecosystems this species depends upon, while disease transmission from introduced bird species further compromises already fragmented populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This Hawaiian honeycreeper inhabits native montane wet forests and mesic forests at elevations between 1,200 and 2,100 meters on the island of Kauai. It requires dense understory vegetation with native shrubs and trees, particularly favoring areas with abundant arthropod populations that support its insectivorous feeding behavior.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area managementSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Akikiki classified as Critically Endangered?
Akikiki is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Oreomystis bairdi faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from cattle grazing and invasive plant species that degrade native understory vegetation. Introduced predators, particularly feral cats and rats, pose significant threats to nesting birds and their eggs. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by altering the montane forest ecosystems this species depends upon, while disease transmission from introduced bird species further compromises already fragmented populations.
Where does Akikiki live?
Akikiki occurs in United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Akikiki?
The main threats to Akikiki are 11.1, 11.4, 2.1, and 2.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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