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Status: Population size: likely extinct Photo by Chandler Robbins.

Ou
(Psittirostra psittacea)

The O'u is now considered very rare, if not extinct, since the last confirmed sightings were in 1989 on Kauai and in 1987 on Hawaii. Originally known from the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Lanai, and Hawaii, this species was formerly one of the most common and widespread of the native Hawaiian birds. O'u disappeared from Oahu by 1899, Maui by 1901, Molokai by 1907, and Lanai by 1931.

Identification
A heavy-set, greenish bird with a thick, pink, hooked bill. Males are further distinguished in having a bright yellow head. This finch-like bird (members of the Hawaiian honeycreeper family, Drepanididae) is distinctive in appearance. In behavior it is a rather lethargic bird, sitting for long periods in the forest canopy and being scarcely noticeable except for their loud calls (plaintive upslurred whistles).

Distribution and Population Trends
Formerly known from the six largest Hawaiian Islands, this species has seen dramatically declines since the turn of the century, disappearing in short order from four of the six islands and plummeting sharply in numbers on the remaining two. Last seen in 1989 on Kauai in the Alakai Forest Preserve, this bird has not been found on numerous intensive surveys in its former range on either Kauai or Hawaii during the 1990s. Although there's a strong possibility that a few individuals remain, the overall population trend makes it unlikely that this species survives or will survive without intensive intervention.

Ecology
Despite once being one of the most common and widespread of all Hawaiian birds and being regularly observed until the 1980s, knowledge of this species' life history is fragmentary at best. Known to have been a nomadic forager that made strong flights to follow seasonally available fruit crops across a broad elevational gradient. More recently it became restricted to ohi'a forest. Its unique bill was apparently adapted for feeding on the fruits of the ie'ie vine, although when the fruiting season ended the O'u readily moved both upslope and downslope in search of other foods, both native and introduced. Pairs have been observed from March to May, but breeding behavior, nests, and eggs are unknown.

Threats
Patterns of decline indicate that disease and habitat alteration were the primary factors negatively affecting this species. It is likely that this species' nomadic movements put them in regular contact with avian malaria and pox, while other native birds could avoid these diseases if their home ranges did not overlap with occurrences of disease-bearing mosquitoes. In addition, human alteration of low elevation forests greatly diminished available habitat dropping population numbers low enough that they were no longer resilient. This became apparent when lava flows from Mauna Loa destroyed core habitat in 1984 on Hawaii, and Hurricane Iwa struck Kauai in 1982.

Conservation
Listed as federally Endangered since 1967, the O'u still suffered dramatic declines. At this point, if surveys rediscover the species, recovery will take intensive efforts including ecosystem restoration, food plant restoration, mosquito control, removal of alien species, nest protection, and captive propagation. The best hope may lie in continued protection of the Alakai Swamp region on Kauai where the species was last sighted.

What Can You Do?
Join Hawaii Audubon Society. A chapter of National Audubon, the Hawaii Audubon Society works to protect and educate people about Hawaii's birds. For more information visit http://www.audubon.org/states/hi/

Although the Endangered Species Act may have been too late to prevent the extinction of the O'u, it does protect and provide resources for many species. Audubon continues to work to ensure that this vital legislation is being used to protect our publicly-owned wildlife resources. Check out http://www.audubon.org/campaign/ to learn of the latest news about the Endangered Species Act and how you can help. To learn more about other species protected under this legislation, visit: http://endangered.fws.gov/

Support efforts to control feral animals and invasive plants and insects throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Support efforts to protect native forest habitat on Kauai and Hawaii by state and federal agencies and conservation organizations.

References
BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened Birds of the world. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona and Cambridge, UK.

BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: Psittirostra psittacea, O'u http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=8899&m=0

Ehrlich, P.R., D.S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1992. Birds in Jeopardy. Stanford University, Stanford, CA.

Pratt, H. D. et. al. 1987. A Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton UP, Princeton, New Jersey.

Snetsinger, T. J. et. al. 1998. O'u (Psittirostra psittacea), Lana'I Hookbill (Dysmorodrepanis munroi). In The Birds of North America, No. 335-336. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologist's Union, Washington, D.C.