Hawaiʻi creeper
{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2024}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Hawai{{okina}}i creeper
| image = Oreomystis mana usgs.jpg
| status = EN
| status_system = IUCN3.1
|status2 = LE
|status2_system = ESA
| genus = Loxops
| species = mana
| authority = (Wilson, SB, 1891)
| range_map = Oreomystis_mana_range.png
| synonyms = Manucerthia mana
Himatione mana
Oreomystis mana
}}
The Hawai{{okina}}i creeper, Hawaii creeper or ʻalawī (Loxops mana) is a species of Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to the Big Island of Hawai{{okina}}i. Its natural habitats are dry forests and montane moist forests at elevations of {{convert|1000|-|2300|m|ft}}. There are a total of 12,000 birds separated into three populations. A fourth population on the western part of the island probably represents migratory birds from one of the existing population. The Hawai{{okina}}i creeper measures {{convert|4.5|in|cm}} and has drab green plumage. In 2017 the traditional Hawaiian name was rediscovered as 'alawi'.{{Cite web |date=2017-06-01 |title=Making a name for itself: Hawaii creeper's traditional name discovered |url=https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2017/06/01/hawaii-news/making-a-name-for-itself-hawaii-creepers-traditional-name-discovered/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |language=en-US}}
Diet
The Hawai{{okina}}i creeper is similar to treecreepers in that it is able to climb up and down trees. It uses its short, sharp beak to probe bark for insects residing underneath. If available, it will sip nectar from koa (Acacia koa) or {{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha).
Breeding
The breeding season of the Hawai{{okina}}i creeper lasts from April to July, during which female birds lay one to three eggs. Nests are hidden in a tree cavity or built on a high branch in either a koa (Acacia koa) or a {{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha). Eggs hatch after around thirteen days.
Conservation
The Hawai{{okina}}i creeper was put on the endangered species list in 1975; however, it was unknown whether the bird was uncommon or endangered.{{cite web|url=https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/hawaii-creeper-manucerthia-mana|title=Hawaii Creeper Manucerthia mana|website=BirdLife DataZone|publisher=BirdLife International}} Although this species has been put into full view of habitat degradation, it has been able to reproduce, so it's not thought to be a serious problem to this species. It has also been found in lower elevations in areas like the common {{okina}}amakihi and apparently handles the diseases better than other species just like it. Introductions of alien animals however have caused this bird to be put under pressure. This pressure includes the bird having competition for food. The other pressure is the fact that these birds are being eaten by rats which cause the populations to drop very quickly. The nests of the Hawai{{okina}}i creepers are low to the forest floor which leave the bird vulnerable to predators such as rats.{{cite web|url=http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/cwcs/files/NAAT%20final%20CWCS/Chapters/Terrestrial%20Fact%20Sheets/Forest%20Birds/hawaii%20creeper%20NAAT%20final%20%21.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194124/http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/cwcs/files/NAAT%20final%20CWCS/Chapters/Terrestrial%20Fact%20Sheets/Forest%20Birds/hawaii%20creeper%20NAAT%20final%20%21.pdf |title=Forest Birds {{!}} Hawai'i Creeper Oreomystis mana |publisher=The State of Hawaii}} The species is eaten as eggs, chicks, and even as full-fledged adults. Now its northern population is being protected in the same area as is the {{okina}}akiapola{{okina}}au and other native birds: Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. It is threatened by disease and habitat loss. Also, the Hawai{{okina}}i creeper has probably benefited from the conservation of other endangered birds in Hawaii.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q27075772|from2=Q1923434}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawai'i Creeper}}
Category:Hawaiian honeycreepers
Category:Endemic fauna of Hawaii
Category:Endangered fauna of Hawaii
Category:Birds described in 1891
Category:Taxa named by Scott Barchard Wilson