Hemignathus


Hemignathus is a Hawaiian honeycreeper genus in the subfamily Carduelinae of the finch family, Fringillidae.
These birds are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.

Extinctions

Many of its species became extinct during the 19th and 20th centuries due to a combination of habitat destruction, introduced predators, and most importantly mosquito-borne diseases.
One species known as the Giant Amakihi known only from fossils, became extinct in prehistoric times, when Polynesian settlers deforested the lowlands for agriculture.

Taxonomy

Genus Hemignathus sensu stricto - pointed or long and downcurved bills, insectivores or nectarivores. The Nukupu‘u:
Genus Heterorhynchus - long and downcurved upper and short and stout lower bill, probes for insects