Plumages, Molts, and Structure

Information on plumage drawn from 2 specimens and observations of 1 nesting pair and their offspring (Casey and Jacobi 1974 Casey, T. L. C. and J. D. Jacobi. (1974). A new genus and species of bird from the Island of Maui, Hawaii (Passeriformes: Drepanididae). Occas. Pap. Bernice P. Bishop Mus. 24:216-226. Close , Engilis et al. 1996 Engilis, Jr., A., T. K. Pratt, C. B. Kepler, A. M. Ecton and K. M. Fluetsch. (1996). Description of adults, nestling, fledgling, and nest of the Poo-uli. Wilson Bulletin 108:607-619. Close ). Plumage variability within age classes suspected from sightings (TC), but undocumented. Molt unknown, but presumably Prebasic I molt incomplete and subsequent molts complete, as with other Hawaiian honeycreepers (Banks and Laybourne 1977 Banks, R. C. and R. C. Laybourne. (1977). Plumage sequence and taxonomy of Laysan and Nihoa finches. Condor 79:343-348. Close , Fancy et al. 1993a Fancy, S. G., T. K. Pratt, G. D. Lindsey, C. K. Harada, Jr. Parent, A. H. and J. D. Jacobi. (1993a). Identifying sex and age of 'Apapane and 'I'iwi on Hawai'i. Journal of Field Ornithology 64:262-269. Close , Jeffrey et al. 1993 Jeffrey, J. J., S. G. Fancy, G. D. Lindsey, P. C. Banko, T. K. Pratt and J. D. Jacobi. (1993). Sex and age identification of Palila. Journal of Field Ornithology 64:490-499. Close , Pratt et al. 1994 Pratt, T. K., S. G. Fancy, C. K. Harada, G. D. Lindsey and J. D. Jacobi. (1994). Identifying sex and age of Akiapolaau. Wilson Bulletin 106:421-430. Close , Lepson and Freed 1995 Lepson, J. K. and L. A. Freed. (1995). Variation in male plumage and behavior of the Hawaii Akepa. Auk 112:402-414. Close ).

Hatchlings

At 10-12 d old, young had gray natal down.

Juvenile Plumage

Resembles adult (Definitive Basic) plumage, but dorsal plumage paler gray brown, with less rufous and cinnamon; below, whitish; mask black, smaller, restricted to area from dorsal ridge of bill, to distal corner of eye, to gape, and not extending onto chin.

Basic I Plumage

Male. Resembles female adult (Definitive Basic) plumage, but see Bare parts, below.

Female. No information, but probably similar to male.

Definitive Basic Plumage

Male. Similar to female except underparts whitish and mask slightly larger.

Female. Upperparts medium brown; underparts medium gray; face with large, sharply bordered black mask extending from forecrown, over eye, to point behind eye, under eye, then down to chin; grayish band on crown behind mask merges distally with brown on remainder of crown; white cheek-patch merges ventrally with gray throat; rump, tail, wings, and flanks washed cinnamon.

Bill And Gape

Nestling (10-12 d old). Bill light gray with bright yellow rim and red spot at corner of gape; inside of mouth reddish pink.

Fledgling. Upper mandible slate gray with pale tip; lower mandible whitish, with dark edge where rhamphotheca meets skin; gape flange smaller than nestling's, bright yellow, with red spot distally at corner. Inside of mouth reddish.

Basic I Plumage. Bill mostly or entirely black; lower mandible may have pink or otherwise pale tip darkening to black with age.

Definitive Basic Plumage. Bill glossy black.

Iris

Nestlings and fledglings, blackish; Basic I and Definitive Basic plumages, dark brown. No change detected with age.

Legs And Feet

All ages and sexes: dark pinkish brown; foot pads yellowish.

Linear Measurements

Measurements (mm) for holotype and paratype, respectively: total length, 135 and 122; unflattened wing chord, 74 and 72; tail, 38 and 36.5; exposed culmen, 15 and 14.5; tarsus, 27 and 25.

Mass

Holotype 25.5 g.