ʻŌʻū
The ʻōʻū (pronounced [ˈʔoːʔuː]) (Psittirostra psittacea), is a species of Hawaiian honeycreeper, that is endemic to the Hawaiian islands. It has a dark green back and olive green underparts; males have a yellow head while females have a green head. Its unusual beak seems to be adapted to feeding on the fruits of Freycinetia arborea. It has a strong flight which it uses to fly considerably distances in search of this Hawaiian endemic vine, but will eat other fruits, buds, flowers and insects.
Although formerly widespread and present throughout the island group, numbers have declined dramatically during the twentieth century. It may have been affected by habitat loss and introduced predators, but the main factor in its decline is probably avian malaria and fowlpox, transmitted by the mosquito. The bird is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as being critically endangered, but there are no recent records, and it may be extinct.
Description
The ʻōʻū is a large, plump forest bird measuring 17 centimetres (6.7 in) in length. Males have a bright yellow head, dark green back, and an olive-green belly. Females are duller with an olive-green head. TheʻŌʻū has a pink, finch-like bill and pink legs.
