Hawaii Amakihi

The Hawaii Amakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens) is an endemic Hawaiian Honeycreeper which is found on the Big Island, Maui, and Molokai, in forest and... more

by Morris Finkelstein

Title

Hawaii Amakihi

Artist

Morris Finkelstein

Medium

Photograph

Description

The Hawaii Amakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens) is an endemic Hawaiian Honeycreeper which is found on the Big Island, Maui, and Molokai, in forest and shrubland habitats at elevations from sea level to 9,500 feet. It is doing well in spite of Avian Malaria, and suspected that its population, estimated about 800,000, is developing resistance to the otherwise lethal infection that affects other honeycreepers. It is small measuring about 4.0 inches in length. Its plumage is mostly yellow, with greenish-yellow on its back, olive-gray wings and tail, and black lores. Its black bill measures about 13 mm and is slightly downcurved. The Hawaii Amakihi is one of three Amakihi species, which also includes the Oahu Amakihi and the Kauai Amakihi. Amakihi's preferred diet is the nectar of flowers such as ohi'a lehua, akala, and mamane, as well as the juice of fruits, and also feeds on spiders, and insects.

This Hawaii Amakihi perched on a tree while collecting nectar from flowers was photographed at Hosmer Grove, Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii on 8-30-2017. This national park covering an area of 33,000 acres, which includes the Haleakala Volcano and Crater, was established in 1916 in order to preserve the native flora and fauna of a native Hawaiian ecosystem. I used a Nikon D810 camera body and a Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR telephoto zoom lens to capture this sharp image. Thanks to Sharon Mau and Heidi Flickinger for suggesting birding locations in Hawaii!

I am honored that my photograph was featured in the Fine Art America groups:
Animals And Birds In The Wild, 9-17-2017
Poetic Poultry, 9-17-2017
FAA Portraits - Birds, 9-18-2017
FAA Portrait Gallery, 9-18-2017
All Natural Beauty Of This World, 9-26-2017
Images That Excite You, 9-26-2017
10 Plus, 10-3-2017
Wildlife One-A-Day, 10-4-2017
Five Star Artist, 10-10-2017
The World We See Group, 10-27-2017
Your Very Best Photography, 1-31-2021
Nikon Full Frame Cameras, 2-12-2021
Hawaiiana, 4-24-2021
Wild Birds Of The World, 12-31-2022
Just Perfect, 2-11-2023
A Gorgeous Green - Nature And Photography, 6-17-2023
The Art Of Maui, 3-28-2024
Gentlemen Club Art Group, 3-28-2024

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Uploaded

September 12th, 2017