The akepa are a group of one of the smallest Hawaiian forest birds, at four inches long and weighing 10 grams. They are placed in the genus Loxops. Only one of the species in the genus, the Hawaiʻi ʻakepa, is still extant, and is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Previously considered conspecific, the group was split into distinct species in 2015. Found only in high elevation old growth rainforest, these nonmigratory passerines have rounded heads, black eyes, and black wings and tail. Adult males sport one of the most brilliant orange colors found in any bird, a plumage which takes four years to develop. Females are greenish gray on back, lighter gray on front, with varying amounts of yellow and sometimes pale orange on the breast and belly. Juveniles appear similar to females, though are generally duller in color. All akepa have an unusual cross-bill. When closed, the upper bill tip slightly overlaps the lower bill tip to one side. When opening the bill, as in prying open leaf buds to extract small caterpillars, the bills swing dramatically sideways, and this is easily seen in the hand. Some birds cross one way, and some the other, apparently randomly. The akepa cross-bill operates similarly to that in the North American crossbills, but is much less obvious when the bill is closed. Hawaii akepa are usually found from 1,500 to 2,200 meters above sea level. They are non-territorial, and group male displays have often been observed in the beginning of the breeding season. They participate in mixed-species flocks during the non-breeding season. Akepa is a Hawaiian term meaning "agile", befitting their active foraging at branch tips.
Taxonomy
The term akepa is applied to three species, two of which are recently extinct:
The akekee is sometimes called the "Kauai akepa". It was previously regarded as a subspecies of L. coccineus, but was reclassified based on differences in coloring, nesting, songs and degree of sexual dimorphism.
Distribution and habitat
Loxops coccineus: The Hawaii akepa survives only in two or three locations, all on the island of Hawaii: one population in Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, one in the upper forest areas of Kau, and one on the northern slope of Hualālai.
Loxops wolstenholmei: The Oahu akepa was found in large numbers until the 1890s. Immediately afterward, a sharp drop in its numbers was noted. Many feel that it had disappeared by the 1920s; however, scattered, unconfirmed reports were posted in the 1990s. This subspecies' male was brick red in coloration, while the female was dark gray.
Loxops ochraceus: The Maui akepa was found on the mountain of Haleakalā in east Maui. This population was detected at low numbers until 1992, when the last sighting was documented. There are still reports of green yellow birds flying in the remote reserve, so there may be individuals remaining, but this is very unlikely as dedicated intensive surveys have failed to confirm any Maui akepa.
Diet
The group is highly dependent on ōhia lehua trees and koa trees for food. The bills are specialized for opening ʻōhiʻa lehua leaf buds in search of small caterpillars. Fretz suggests that this food source is only found in old-growth Hawaiian forests and could be one factor in akepa population declines. The lehua of the ʻōhiʻa tree provides a source of nectar that this bird consumes occasionally. The koa tree's cracked bark serves as a home for many insects and arthropods that the akepa finds delectable.
