Hakalau Forest Birds Project

Reproduction and survival of Akiapolaau, Hawaii Akepa, Hawaii Creeper, and other native forest birds along a gradient of native bird density in wet forests of windward Hawaii
Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Biological Resources Division, USGS
Principle Investigators: B. L. Woodworth and S. G. Fancy
Research Project Coordinators and Field Project Leaders: J. Nelson and M. P. Moore
Field Ornithologists: C. Adler, E. Cohen, C. Driehaus, A. Grover, K. Kozar, S. Langridge, J. Townsend, E. J. Tweed

This study is designed to provide information on basic life history of native rainforest birds, including the endangered Akiapolaau (Hemignathus munroi), Hawaii Akepa (Loxops coccineus coccineus) and Hawaii Creeper (Oreomystis mana) (pictured below).

(Photo's by Jack Jeffrey)

The study will also provide information on factors limiting populations of these endangered species by comparing demography, avian disease, food availability and phenology, habitat structure, alien bird species abundance, and exotic small mammal (predator) abundance among three sites having large differences in bird densities. This is the largest demographic study of its kind ever undertaken in Hawaii. Specific objectives are to (1) determine population size and trend of forest bird populations along a density gradient of endangered birds at the Hakalau Forest NWR; (2) quantify the distribution and abundance of potential limiting factors across the density gradient, including disease, introduced mammalian predators, feral ungulates, nest sites, vegetation structure, food availability, and alien birds; (3) determine the annual productivity, survival, timing of breeding, and movements and dispersal of native birds; and (4) analyze and publish data on Akiapolaau, Akepa, Hawaii Creeper, and other species collected during USDA Forest Service studies during 1976-1982.

Publications completed:
1. Fancy, S. G., S. A. Sandin, M. H. Reynolds, and J. D. Jacobi. 1996. Distribution and population status of the endangered Akiapolaau. Pacific Science 50:355-362.
2. Ralph, C. J., and S. G. Fancy. 1996. Aspects of the life history and foraging ecology of the endangered Akiapolaau. Condor 98:312-321.
3. Fancy, S. G., and C. J. Ralph. 1997. Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) In The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
4. Fancy, S. G., and C. J. Ralph. 1997. Iiwi (Vestiaria coccinea) In The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
5. Male, T., S. G. Fancy, and C. J. Ralph. 1998. Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) In The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and the American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
6. Ralph, C. J., S. G. Fancy, and T. Male. 1998. Demography of an introduced Red-billed Leiothrix population in Hawaii. Condor 100:468-473.
7. Woodworth, B. L., J. T. Nelson, E. J. Tweed, S. G. Fancy, M. P. Moore, E. B. Cohen, and M. S. Collins. 2001. Demography of the endangered Hawai'i Creeper in a wet forest refuge on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i. In The Status, Ecology, and Conservation of the Hawaiian Avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology 22:164-172.

Publications in progress:
1. Nelson, J. T., B. L. Woodworth, S. G. Fancy, E. J. Tweed, and E. J. Cohen. Nest site selection and nesting success of the Hawaii Creeper.
2. Woodworth, B. L., S. G. Fancy, G. Lindsey, M. P. Moore, J. T. Nelson, E. J. Tweed, S. Langridge, C. Diehaus, B. P. Farm, J. Hatfield, and R. Camp. Testing hypotheses for a gradient in forest bird densities in a Hawaiian rainforest.
3. Woodworth et al. Phelonology of fruiting and flowering plants in a Hawaiian rainforest and its relationship to the annual cycle of nectarivorous and frugivorous birds.
4. Woodworth, et al. Life history and demography of wet forest birds in a high-elevation rainforest on Hawaii.
5. Woodworth, B. L. and T. Pratt. Life history and demography of Hawaiian island birds, and its relationship to their conservation. Chapter 5 in Conservation biology of Hawaiian forest birds (T. K. Pratt, B. L. Woodworth, J. Jacobi, and C. Atkinson, eds.).
6. Woodworth, B. L. and T. Pratt. The role of alien passerines in limiting populations of native Hawaiian forest birds. Chapter 12 in Conservation biology of Hawaiian forest birds (T. K. Pratt, B. L. Woodworth, J. Jacobi, and C. Atkinson, eds.).

Presentations:
1. Population dynamics of wet forest birds on windward Hawaii. Seminar at University of Hawaii - Hilo, Hilo, HI, 30 November 2000.
2. Demography of the endangered Hawai'i Creeper in a wet forest refuge on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i. 1997 American Ornithologists' Union, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn.
3. Causes of a gradient in forest bird densities in a Hawaiian rainforest. 1998 North American Ornithological Conference, S. Louis, MO.