Hawaiian Birds and Puaiohi

The Puaiohi (Small Kauaʻi Thrush) is a rare species of songbird that is endemic to the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi. It is closely related to the other four endemic Hawaiian thrushes, the Kāmaʻo, Olomaʻo, ʻŌmaʻo, and ʻĀmaui. The plumage is dark brown above, with gray-brown upperparts, and a light gray breast below. They have a slender black bill and pinkish feet. A white eye ring is also fairly prominent, and along with white outer tail feathers helps distinguish this bird from the other Hawaiian thrushes. Both males and females are highly similar in appearance, and no more than seven inches in length.

The song is varied, consisting of a simple till to a complex wheezing, and high pitched squeal or squeaking resembling a metal wheel needing lubrication. Males can be found singing throughout the year, and with increasing frequency as breeding season approaches, peaking in April and May.

Puaiohis (Myadestes palmeri) are primarily fruit-eating birds, with the most frequently consumed fruits being ‘olapa, lapalapa, and ‘ohi’a ha. During the non-breeding season, most of their foraging is on fruits, while during breeding season, the percentage of invertebrates including dragonflies, beetles, spiders, and caterpillars becomes much higher.

This species has always been considered rare, favoring forested ravines above 3,400 feet in the center and southern parts of the Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve. Their entire range, which includes stream valleys and ridges in the Alaka’i area, is now less than 10 square miles. It was added to the United States Federal Endangered Species list in 1967, and population estimates have dipped as low as 100 to 125 birds.
Photo by Jim Denny