Maui Forest Bird Recovery Program Interview
Formed in 1997, the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project (MFBRP) is dedicated to the conservation and recovery of Hawai’i’s native forest ecosystems and Maui’s endangered forest birds. Using techniques such as banding, population monitoring and mist netting, the MFBRP collects data to develop long-term species management strategies.
While on a trip to Maui, I was lucky enough to connect with MFBRP field and data technician Sonia Vallocchia and ask her about conservation awareness, what makes the birds of Hawai’i special, and where to find hope for the future. Sonia has a B.S. in Wildlife Conservation and a M.S. in Wild Animal Biology; she has travelled to Mauritius, Malta, Mexico, the U.K. and Canada to work with various conservation driven organizations.
‘I’iwi, Drepanis coccinea
You've traveled the world, working with birds across several continents, with a particular focus on island conservation. What makes Maui unique when it comes to ornithology?
I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to travel around the world to work with endangered species. The Hawaiian islands have some of the highest levels of endemism in the world, with some of the most unique bird species. From forest birds with a pungent, musty smell, to seabirds that nest at 10,000 feet in elevation, the birds on Maui are truly remarkable. Nowadays, honeycreepers are only found in high elevation forests, but they were once found mauka (from the mountain) to makai (the ocean). Honeycreepers diversified from the common rosefinch approximately 7.2 million years ago into 56 known species. More than half of those 56 species are now extinct. Like many island species, honeycreepers evolved without the presence of predators, disease, or human disturbance. As such, nature acted with no constraints and resulted in the evolution of incredible looking birds, with bright plumages and bills of all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, many honeycreeper species succumbed to the pressures of human disturbance, including the introduction of rodents, mongoose and mosquitoes, that spread avian malaria. Of the honeycreepers that are still alive today, many populations continue to dwindle due to the same pressures. Being able to work on Maui is a privilege and an opportunity to save these endangered birds.
Hawai'i 'Amakihi, Chlorodrepanis virens
The Hawaiian government has declared 2024 to be Makahiki o Nã Manu Nahele: Year of the Forest Birds. What do you think has brought the plight of native Hawaiian birds to the forefront of the social consciousness?
There have been several events covered by the media that have raised awareness on the tragic loss of forest birds. The growth of conservation projects like Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project (MFBRP) and Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP) has allowed us to document species’ population declines in real time. KFBRP is virtually witnessing the extinction of the ‘akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi), with only five known individuals left in the Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve. Last year, U.S. Fish and Wildlife declared eight Hawaiian forest birds extinct, including the poʻouli (Melamprosops phaeosoma) from Maui. The poʻouli, last seen in 2004, was the last member in the Melamprosops genus, and the last remaining snail-eating honeycreeper.
The declines of forest birds are largely due to avian malaria transmitted by the non-native Southern House mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus), introduced to Hawai‘i in 1826. Warming temperatures have pushed mosquitoes higher up the mountain in the last safe havens for the birds. A multi-agency effort is taking place to suppress the mosquito population through the Incompatible Insect Technique, which takes advantage of the naturally occurring Wolbachia bacterium. Birds Not Mosquitoes is a collaborative effort to mitigate the bird’s threats at their source.
News coverage of these events, as well as the use of social media, has allowed these stories to reach a larger audience and inform the public about the precious species found on the Hawaiian Islands and how we can work together to protect them.
'Apapane, Himatione sanguinea
From forest degradation, to invasive species and avian disease, Maui's forest birds seem to have the deck stacked against them. How does the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project help give honeycreepers a fighting chance?
Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project has a multifaceted approach to help save the forest birds. To obtain up-to-date population estimates, we undertake yearly forest bird monitoring surveys. Our bird banding efforts allow us to recognise individuals in the forest through the use of unique colour band combinations (the bands wrap around the bird’s legs like bracelets). While banding birds, we also collect blood samples to test for avian malaria, which helps us better understand the disease dynamic amongst the forest bird community. We attempt to limit nest predation by rodents by controlling predators where kiwikiu (Pseudonestor xanthophrys) and ‘ākohekohe (Palmeria dolei) are most abundant. We are trying to suppress mosquitoes that spread avian malaria through the Birds Not Mosquitoes efforts. We are also working towards increasing suitable habitat by restoring a site on the leeward side of Haleakalā, which was once a native mesic forest, but then cleared for pastureland. With kiwikiu predicted to go extinct in the next five years, we have brought a few individuals into a captive breeding facility on Maui, as an insurance population in case their wild relatives go extinct, and with plans to release them back in the wild when the mosquito population crashes. Lastly, MFBRP is working to reintroduce the ʻalalā (Corvus hawaiiensis), currently extinct in the wild. A reintroduction of the Hawaiian crow in the forest on Maui will help them fulfil their important role as seed dispersers and restore ecosystem functions.
‘I’iwi, Drepanis coccinea
The forest birds on Maui have to contend with a yearly influx of tourists who may not understand the cultural and ecological significance of honeycreepers on the island. How can people visiting Maui support native flora and fauna through the MFBRP, and where can they learn about the importance of native species?
Since honeycreepers are only found in high elevation native forests, it can be difficult for visitors to encounter them. Honeycreepers are integrated in Hawaiian culture and play a significant role in the environment. As much of the native flora on the Hawaiian islands is also characterised by endemic plant species, the coevolution of birds and plants made it so that they are dependent on one another as pollinators and as sources of food. The MFBRP website is a good starting point for learning about native species and offers information on honeycreepers, as well as information about the non-native birds, which tourists are more likely to see at low elevations. There are also events on the island throughout the year that visitors can attend to learn more about conservation work on the island, such as the AgFest, Arbor Day, Whale Tales, and Ho’omau. These events offer a fun and engaging way to learn and get more involved with conservation work done by local organisations. People can also donate to our ‘plant a tree’ program, which supports our forest restoration work.
Hawai'i 'Amakihi, Chlorodrepanis virens
As a professional birder, can you share what it feels like to see a Maui honeycreeper alive and well in the wild? How might newcomers uncover the joy of birding through an ethical practice?
Hearing the sharp whistle of a kiwikiu in the forest can send a shiver down your spine. Encountering one of the rarest honeycreepers in the forest is an exciting and humbling experience. There are days that we may spend 10 hours hiking through the forest without a sign of a kiwikiu, and we start to wonder whether they have vanished from that area that was once a home to many. Spending countless hours in the forest observing flocks of ʻapapane (Himatione sanguinea), the curious nature of ʻalauahio (Paroreomyza montana) chipping a few feet from you and ʻākohekohe territorially chasing away any unwelcome newcomer from their cherished ʻōhiʻa lehua blossoms, is a privilege in itself. Being able to witness birds behave in their natural environment, one starts to recognise the behaviours of each species and how they interact with each other. With a bit of luck and a little more determination, you may also be fortunate enough to come across a soon-to-be parent gathering nesting material, a parent feeding their newly-fledged chick or a kiwikiu peeling the tree bark to extract the juiciest grub. The easiest way to start birding is to identify the species around you, whether it be in your yard or around your neighbourhood. A bird guide from your area can help you learn the bird species and a pair of binoculars can elevate your birding skills as now you’re challenged to recognise further away birds. On Maui, there’s a few places accessible to the public that are still home to honeycreepers. Hosmer’s Grove in Haleakalā National Park is a short trail where you can see ‘i‘iwi (Drepanis coccinea), ‘apapane, Hawaii ʻamakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens) and Maui ‘alauahio. It is most rewarding to see birds act naturally so always remember to leave birds undisturbed and to stay on designated trails.
Mahalo nui loa to Sonia and the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Program for taking the time to answer my questions and for their continued support of Maui’s forest birds. If you’d like to learn more about the MFBRP, please head to their website here. If you would like to make a donation in support of the endangered honeycreepers of Hawai’i you can do so here. Lastly, I will be donating 10% of the print sale proceeds from any of the images featured in this article to MFBRP. You can email me at thedustyunknown@gmail.com for inquiries.
