WatchList Species Account for ‘Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis)

Qualifies for the list as a Red List Species

Photo: © Bill Hubick

This small monarch flycatcher is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is fairly common at higher elevations on Hawaii and Kauai but in serious decline, with a fragmented distribution, on Oahu, where it was once the most common native land bird. It is classified by BirdLife International as endangered. It occupies a variety of habitats, including disturbed forest with introduced plants, and a range of other forested habitats from rain forest to dry, open woodland over a wide range of elevations; however, it is generally most common in wet to mesic forest at higher elevations, particularly ‘ohi’a and koa forest above 1,100 m. On Oahu it is most common in valleys and on slopes from 200 to 800 m, but has decreased greatly in recent years; management is urgently needed there to prevent further declines.

The species differs in plumage coloration on the three islands and have been regarded by some authorities as representing three different species. A bird of versatile foraging behavior, it searches for arthropods at all levels and substrates in the forest, including capturing prey on the wing. It is long-lived, sedentary, remains paired and defends territory all year long. Territorial fights can be intense, occasionally resulting in death. Primary threats to the bird are forest clearing, introduced diseases, and predation by introduced mammals. The bird is important in the mythology and folklore of the Hawaiian people.