Olomaʻo

Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Myadestes
Species:
M. lanaiensis
Binomial name
Myadestes lanaiensis
(Wilson, SB, 1891)

The olomaʻo (Myadestes lanaiensis) is a small, dark solitaire endemic to Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi in the Hawaiian Islands. It is listed as Critically Endangered.[1]

The extinct ʻāmaui, either a subspecies of M. lanaiensis[2] or a distinct species (as M. woahensis),[3] was endemic to Oʻahu.

Description

It grows up to 7 inches in length. The male and female of the species look similar. It is dark brown above and gray below with blackish legs.

Myadestes myadestinus (top), Myadestes lanaiensis lanaiensis (middle). and Myadestes obscurus (bottom)

Call

Its song consists of a complex melody of flute-like notes, liquid warbles, and gurgling whistles. The call is a catlike rasp, with an alternate high pitched note similar to a police whistle.

Behavior and diet

It occurs in densely vegetated gulches, frequenting the understory where it often perches motionless in a hunched posture. Like other native Hawaiian thrushes, it quivers its wings and feeds primarily on fruit and insects.

Conservation

The olomaʻo is still classified as Critically Endangered due to the possibility that an extremely small population or individuals may still exist. The last definitive sighting occurred on Oahu in the 1850s, on Lanai in 1933, and on Molokaʻi in 1980 in the Kamakou Preserve.[1] In the late 19th century, it was considered common to abundant on the Maui, Lanai, and Molokaʻi, but land clearing, including the establishment and subsequent development of Lānaʻi City, and avian malaria brought on by introduced mosquitoes decimated the birds. Introduced animals such as feral pigs (which create pools from their wallows for breeding mosquitoes) also aided in its demise.

Taxonomy

It is closely related to the other species of Hawaiian thrushes, the puaiohi (M. palmeri), ʻōmaʻo (M. obscurus), and the probably extinct kāmaʻo (M. myadestinus). Maui birds may have constituted a separate subspecies or race, but became extinct before any studies could be performed. Three subspecies are recognized:

  • M. l. woahensis - ʻāmaui
  • M. l. lanaiensis - Lānaʻi thrush
  • M. l. rutha - Molokaʻi thrush

References

  1. 1 2 3 BirdLife International (2019). "Myadestes lanaiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22708574A155254449. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22708574A155254449.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Thrushes – IOC World Bird List". Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  3. ↑ BirdLife International (2017). "Myadestes woahensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22708564A111775767. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22708564A111775767.en. Retrieved 17 December 2022.


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