Pseudonestor xanthophrys
CR

Pseudonestor xanthophrys

Declining

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

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

The Maui Parrotbill faces severe threats from habitat degradation caused by invasive plant species that alter the structure of native ohia forests. Introduced ungulates, particularly feral pigs, damage the understory vegetation and create conditions favorable to invasive plants. Disease transmission from introduced bird species and habitat fragmentation from historical land conversion have further reduced the population to critically low levels.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Maui Parrotbill inhabits native ohia-lehua forests on the slopes of Haleakala volcano on Maui, typically at elevations between 1,200-2,100 meters. It requires dense canopy cover with abundant epiphytes and native understory plants that support the arthropod prey it specializes in extracting from bark and wood.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communications

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Pseudonestor xanthophrys classified as Critically Endangered?
Pseudonestor xanthophrys 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. The Maui Parrotbill faces severe threats from habitat degradation caused by invasive plant species that alter the structure of native ohia forests. Introduced ungulates, particularly feral pigs, damage the understory vegetation and create conditions favorable to invasive plants. Disease transmission from introduced bird species and habitat fragmentation from historical land conversion have further reduced the population to critically low levels.
Where does Pseudonestor xanthophrys live?
Pseudonestor xanthophrys 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 Pseudonestor xanthophrys?
The main threats to Pseudonestor xanthophrys are 11.1, 2.3, 5.3, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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