Kauai Elepaio

Overview

Kauai Elepaio: Monarch flycatcher. Crown and back are dark gray-brown to light gray, white to light gray underparts have light orange-brown wash on upper breast. Lores, eyebrows, and throat white mixed with cinnamon. White wingbars, rump, white-tipped brown tail. Black bill, dark gray legs, feet.

Range and Habitat

Kauai Elepaio: Endemic to Kauai. Prefers dense, wet ohia forests above 2,000', most are found at elevations above 3,600'. They are uncommon in the dry forests of Waimea Canyon and the NaPali Coast, much of their population is found on the Alaka'i Plateau and Koke'e State Park.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Elepaio was named by the ancient Hawaiians after the sound of its song.
It is the first native bird to sing in the morning. Its song was thought to warn night spirits that dawn was approaching and their work must end.
It is considered the guardian spirit of canoe makers, who noticed that koa trees frequented by these birds often harbored large insect populations that would make them unsuited for use as a canoe.
A group of flycatchers has many collective nouns, including an "outfield", "swatting", "zapper", and "zipper" of flycatchers.