What's Up Hawaii?

   Aloha and Good Morning everyone! How is everyone today? We are having our first 80 degree day in over three months of high 90's, so I am loving this day. No sunshine but the lower temperatures are wonderful... It's Monday again so time for another Blog post. Today I am doing an article on the Hawaiian I'iwi Honeycreepers. They are found only on the Hawaiian Islands and are quite an interesting little bird. I'm sending a video on them, so you can check them out, as well as some links to info on Mikes book A Pecunious Life, his newest interview via the Virtual Book Tour, an article on plant species found in Hawaii, the Fan Page at Facebook, as well as ways to contact us on Twitter.

                                           *Hawaiian I'iwi Honeycreepers*

   The Hawaiian I'iwi Honeycreeper also known as the Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper is a small to medium sized bird and classified as vulnerable and listed as an endangered species found only on the Hawaiian Islands. Most Honeycreepers are from the Finch family and are Finch-like. There are many more other types like the Parrot-like, Warbler-like, Woodpecker-like Honeycreepers. The I'iwi is a Finch-like with a secondary Hummingbird-like species. True Hummingbird-like species are all extinct. The I'iwi comes from a Finch-like Tribe but is closer to a member of the Hummingbird family. The reason for that is the I'iwi loves nectar from flowers, like a Hummingbird.

   The I'iwi is one of the most plentiful of this family, but still in a vulnerable state. It is a highly recognizable symbol of Hawaii. The I'iwi is also the third most common native land birds in the Hawaiian Islands. There are large colonies of I'iwi on the Islands of Hawaii and Kauai and smaller colonies on the Islands of Molokai and Oahu. There was a local extinction in Lanai in 1929, but if you add up all the different I'iwi the population would add up to about 350,000 birds. The Hawaiian I'iwi Honeycreeper is believed to have evolved from a single ancestral species, which colonized on the Hawaiian Islands millions of years ago.

   These birds are quite important to the Hawaiians. They are actually mentioned in Hawaiian Folklore. The Hawaiian song "Sweet Lei Mamo" includes the line "the I'iwi bird is a friend". The I'iwi is a beautiful bird, red in color. That is where the Scarlet name comes from. The bright red feathers were highly prized by the Hawaiians who used them to make feathered capes, helmets, and other ornaments for the chiefs. They were caught by professional bird catchers. they would put tree sap on a branch next to the flower blossoms. When the bird landed on the branch to sip the nectar or sap it was caught, never harming the bird in any way.

   They are a very interesting bird. Their movements are unique as they spend much of their time hanging upside down. They hover like a Hummingbird would. They have long curved bills. The long bill make it much easier to get to the nectar in the flower and the curvature makes it easier to reach the nectar. One of their favorite blossoms is the Lehua blossom. The only problem with this vulnerable bird is that means it is becoming scarce. Besides introducing other animals and birds that have taken their toll on them, the I'iwi Honeycreeper also has to deal with diseases and loss of habitat.

   In early January to June the birds mate as the ohi'a plants reach their height of flowering. The female lays two or three eggs in a small nest made from tree fibers, petals, and down feathers. the eggs are bluish in color and hatch in fourteen days. The chicks are yellowish green with brownish orange markings.  In twenty four days they attain their adult plumage. Younger birds have a spotted golden plumage with an ivory bill and were mistaken for a different species early on. 

   The scientific name is Vestiaria, which is Latin for clothing which means scarlet colored. Their appearance is quite striking, especially easy to see in the forests, and the markings leave no doubt it is a Hawaiian I'iwi Honeycreeper. As I said, they have bright red feathers, but also have a pink sort of salmon colored bill which is curved and black wings which easily lets you distinguish them from other species. The I'iwi also have a distinct sound. It's a peculiar song that consists of a couple whistles, the sound of balls dropping in the water, the rubbing of balloons, and the squeaking of a rusty hinge. Quite a fascinating little beauty.

   Well I hope you found this little bird interesting. As I search for things that come from Hawaii, I am amazed by all the animals and fish and bugs or flowers and plants that are only from the islands. Quite amazing stuff really. All unique...  As I was writing today I was listening to my friend @GregSlawson's WaterFlow Cd's I & II. They are great for relaxing & what I've come to like is how I can cut off all around me listening to these Cd's while writing with no distractions. A really great combination of two of my favorite things...Music & Nature!!!  http://www.youtube.com/user/GCCreativeVideos  You'll find awesome videos there with great music & a link to buy his music on YouTube if you so choose to do so. Don't forget that we have all sorts of Hawaiian Life merchandise here at the Store Front. Books and music, all Hawaiian, as well! I'm sending a link for the Facebook Fan Page. Yes those Tiki's are still calling you!!! I hope you all stay safe and have a great week.

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Di @DianneLittle

Mike @HawaiianLife

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFhLP_79Cqc

http://hawaiianlife.com/content/endemic-plant-species-hawaii

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Today's Virtual Book Tour Stop with Mike:

http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results

http://hawaiianlife.com/content/my-new-site-help-market-my-new-book-pecu...

Until next time, Mahalo!

Aloha,

Di