Palila

Overview

Palila: Large finch-billed honeycreeper, endemic to Hawaii. Yellow head with black lores, seperated from gray back by distinct line. Breast is yellow, belly is white and back is gray. Wings and tail are olive-green. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Strong, bouncy flight with steady wingbeats.

Range and Habitat

Palila: Currently restricted to the upper slopes of Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii. The west slope of Mauna Kea contains the majority of the population. They live in mamane-naio forests between the elevations of 6,000 and 9,000 feet.

INTERESTING FACTS

In 1998 the Palila became the first animal to have a 9th district federal case cited in its name, Palila v. Hawaii Dep't of Land and Natural Resources.
The toxic seeds of the mamane tree make up most of their diet. How they are unaffected by the poison is not yet known.
They are also often called Hawaiian Finches, a name that while old now more closely reflects their recent classification as Fringilidae by the AOU.
A group of honeycreepers are collectively known as a "hive" of honeycreepers.