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Status: Population size: 237,000 Photo by Chandler Robbins.

Elepaio
(Chasiempis sandwichensis)

Active and feisty, these little wren-like flycatchers are found on three of the Hawaiian Islands-Hawaii, Kauai, and Oahu-where they are unusual among Hawaii's native birds in being able to persist in disturbed forests with introduced plants. Populations remain fairly healthy, except on Oahu where they have seriously declined in recent decades.

Identification
The three island populations of this flycatcher were formerly considered separate species (as many as 5 species recognized at one time) but were lumped into a single species in 1944. Elepaio vary considerably in plumage coloration, and to a lesser degree in vocalizations, between the five currently recognized subspecies. Identification is readily based on the discrete ranges of the five subspecies. On the island of Hawaii, where three subspecies occur, the ranges are separated by unforested alpine areas and recent lava flows. In general Elepaio are recognized by their long cocked-up tails; vivid and complex patterns of brown, black, white, and rufous; and presence of two white wing bars. Their song is a loudly whistled version of the Hawaiian name e-le-PAI-o.

Distribution and Population Trends
It is thought that this species originally inhabited most forested areas from sea level to tree line on Hawaii, Kauai, and Oahu. Although much of their original range has been greatly reduced by clearing for development and agriculture, the broad habitat requirements and flexible foraging strategies of this species have kept them common while other native birds have declined dramatically or disappeared altogether. Elepaio are still fairly common and widespread on Hawaii and Kauai, especially in forested areas at higher elevations, but the situation on Oahu has deteriorated significantly. There the population survives in 7-8 small fragments, with the total population estimated at 1200-1400 birds.

Ecology
During an extended nesting season, Elepaio construct cup-like nests among the branches of any of a wide variety of trees, including both native and introduced species. Nesting dates range from January to August depending on the population, and even between years (perhaps in response to rainfall). While they forage on the wing in typical flycatcher fashion, Elepaio also spend time in trees and on the ground searching energetically through leaf litter for arthropods. They are highly versatile in their selection of foraging strategies and niches.

Threats
As with other native Hawaiian birds, the spread of avian malaria and pox by introduced mosquitoes, and clearing of habitat have had significant negative impacts on Elepaio populations. In many areas Elepaio persist due to their flexible habitat requirements, or else they have contracted their range to higher elevations. It's thought that the ground feeding habits of this species make them more susceptible to predation by feral cats and Indian Mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus), while rats have been implicated in nest failures. On Oahu, adult survival has been shown to be lower than in a large population on Hawaii largely caused by avian poxvirus transmitted by mosquitoes. Black rats have been implicated as the major factor causing a higher rate of nest loss on Oahu as compared to Hawaii. Storm events and heavy rainfall are natural phenomena that significantly impact nesting success, as evidenced by a study on Hawaii in which all Elepaio nests failed after a 3-day storm.

Conservation
The Oahu `Elepaio (C.s. ibidis) was federally listed as Endangered in 2000. Measures currently being taken include active monitoring of populations and screening for disease resistance, in part to learn more about the dynamic between bird populations and disease vectors. A program of experimentally controlling introduced Black Rats on Oahu has been successful at increasing reproductive success. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources continues its efforts at predator control to decrease nest loss and increase populations of Oahu Elepaio. On Hawaii, the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge supports a relatively large population of Elepaio. On Mauna Kea, removal of feral sheep and goats has allowed habitat regeneration which will eventually increase habitat available to the species.

What Can You Do?
U.S. National Wildlife Refuges provide essential habitat for Elepaio and a great number of other species throughout the U.S. and its territories. Unfortunately, the refuge system is often under-funded during the U.S. government's budgeting process. To learn more about how you can help gain much needed funding for U.S. National Wildlife Refuges, visit: http://www.audubon.org/campaign/refuge_report/

The Endangered Species Act has helped protect Oahu Elepaio and made it possible to learn critical information about its biology. 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/

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/

Support efforts to control feral animals and invasive plants and insects throughout the Hawaiian Islands. For more information visit: http://www.hear.org/

Support efforts to protect native forest habitat on Hawaii, Kauai, and Oahu 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: Chasiempis sandwichensis, Elepaio http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=6075&m=0

Culliney, J. L. 1988. Islands in a Far Sea: Nature and Man in Hawaii. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco.

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

Vanderwerf, E. A. 1998. Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 344 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologist's Union, Washington, D.C.