Hoopoe-billed ʻakialoa explained

The hoopoe-billed ʻakialoa (Akialoa upupirostris) is an extinct species of Hawaiian honeycreeper in the subfamily Carduelinae of the family Fringillidae. It inhabited the islands of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu in Hawaii.

Description

Subfossil remains have been found on the Hawaiian islands of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu. The species was apparently slightly larger than others in the genus Akialoa. A similar but smaller bird from Maui has been discovered but is as yet undescribed.[1]

The specific name, upupirostris, is derived from the Latin upupa, hoopoe, and rostrum, bill, and refers to the long sickle-shaped bill which resembles that of the hoopoe.

Extinction

The species presumably became extinct after the arrival of humans in Hawaii and is known only from the fossil record.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Pratt, H. Douglas . The Hawaiian honeycreepers: Drepanidinae . 2005 . 978-0-19-854653-5 . Bird Families of the World . 249.