Puaiohi

The Puaiohi, or Small Kauaʻi Thrush, is a modestly plumaged bird with slaty-brown upperparts and a light gray underbelly. Its black bill and pinkish feet are complemented by a distinctive white eye ring, which sets it apart from its Hawaiian thrush cousins. Both sexes share a similar appearance, while juveniles exhibit a transitional pattern of spotted whitish-buff and scalloped gray-brown.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Puaiohi, look for the prominent white eye ring and the overall slaty-brown and light gray coloration. The bird's nondescript plumage can make it challenging to spot, but the eye ring is a key distinguishing feature.

Habitat

The Puaiohi is a denizen of forested ravines, typically found at elevations above 1,050 meters. Its preferred habitat is within the Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve on Kauaʻi, where it is often concealed by the dense foliage of the Hawaiian rainforest.

Distribution

This rare songbird is endemic to the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaii, with its range restricted to the central and southern parts of the Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve.

Behaviour

The Puaiohi exhibits a varied diet, with a preference for fruit and berries outside the breeding season. During breeding, it shifts to a diet predominantly composed of invertebrates. Its song is equally varied, ranging from simple trills to complex wheezes and high-pitched squeals. Males sing more frequently leading up to and during the breeding season. Nesting occurs in cavities or on cliff ledges, with the female taking on the role of nest builder, incubator, and initial caregiver. Males primarily provide food to the fledglings, especially if the female is preparing for a second brood.

Song & Calls

The Puaiohi's vocalizations are diverse, from trills to wheezing and squeaking sounds, reminiscent of a metal wheel in need of lubrication.

Breeding

Breeding season sees a shift in diet towards invertebrates, with nesting recorded from March to mid-September. Nests are built in cavities or on cliff ledges, often hidden by mosses and ferns. Females are solely responsible for nest construction, incubation, and early feeding of the nestlings. The typical clutch consists of two eggs, which are grayish-green to greenish-blue with reddish-brown splotches, hatching after 13–15 days.

Similar Species

While similar in appearance to other Hawaiian thrushes, the Puaiohi can be distinguished by its white eye ring and specific coloration.

Diet and Feeding

The Puaiohi's diet is primarily composed of fruits from native plants such as ʻolapa, lapalapa, ʻōhiʻa ha, and kanawao, with a significant portion of invertebrates consumed during the breeding season.

Conservation status

The Puaiohi is currently listed as Critically Endangered, with population estimates ranging between 414 to 580 individuals. Threats include drought, hurricanes, predation, avian malaria, and habitat degradation by feral pigs and goats. A captive breeding program was established in 1995, but has since been discontinued due to inbreeding depression. The species was added to the United States Federal Endangered Species List on March 11, 1967.