Hawaiian Birds and Puaiohi Breeding

Puaiohi are found only in the Alaka‘i Swamp of Kaua‘i, with seventy-five percent of the breeding occurring in only 5 square miles of forest. So inaccessible and remote is the Puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri) habitat that it wasn’t until 1981 when the first nest was discovered. This small secretive thrush builds their nests in cavities of cliff faces, on ledges of streams, or in trees. The nests are usually made of (or concealed by) mosses, ferns, and grasses.

Females are the sole nest builders, which can take up to 7 days. She also incubates the eggs, and broods and feeds the young birds while still in the nest. Their eggs (usually 2) are colored grayish-green to a muted greenish-blue with irregular reddish-brown splotches, and hatch after 13 to 15 days. After fledging, the males become primary food providers to the young, while the female attempts a second brood. Outside the breeding season most of the diet is fruit and berries, while during the breeding season over fifty percent of the diet shifts to invertebrates. Puaiohis have an extended breeding season from March to September, and will renest quickly after successful or failed nesting attempts.

Song is given by males primarily in courtship and territory maintenance. It is a simple reedy song that usually consists of a preparatory whistle and a prolonged trill, followed by several sharp descending notes. It has been described as wheezy and highpitched, like the squeaking of a metal wheel in need of lubrication. The female has an expansive repertoire, including whisper calls, whisper song, alarm call, growl, and other unique vocalizations when intruder approaches fledgling or nest.

The typical call is a simple, dry, raspy hiss. The Alarm Call is a modification and much raspier, drawn out, and given every few seconds while the threat persists. Adults also may utter a Growl Call which is a short, low-pitched, throaty, but lacking its hissing quality. Once heard, this unique call is not likely to be confused with that of any other species. Photo by Jack Jeffrey

Hear the Puaiohi produced by SoundsHawaiian

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