Kauaʻi ʻōʻō

The Kaua`i `ō`ō (Moho braccatus), also known as the `ō`ō`ā`ā, is a member of the genus of the `ō`ōs (Moho) within the family Mohoidae from the islands of Hawai'i and was once extinct in 1987, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to Hawai'i to help boost biodiversity. However, some populations of Kaua`i `ō`ōs have established feral breeding populations throughout Florida and California New Zealand Réunion and Puerto Rico possibly due to either zoo escapees or pet releases. This bird is among the smallest of the Hawaiian 'o'os, if not the smallest species, at just over 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length. The head, wings, and tail are black. The rest of the upperparts are slaty brown, becoming rufous on the rump and flanks. The throat and breast is black with white barring, which is particularly prominent in females. The central tail feathers are long, and there is a small tuft of gray feathers under the base of the wing. While the beak and legs are black, the leg feathers are a rich golden yellow. It is the only ‘ō’ō known to have eyes with yellow irises. Like other honeyeaters it has a sharp, slightly curved bill for sampling nectar. Its favorite nectar sources in its native range are Lobelia species and the 'ohi'a lehua tree, but feral populations of these birds in California and Florida also feed on nectar of native and nonnative plants. It also primarily feeds on small invertebrates and fruit. The Kaua`i `ō`ō is very vocal, making hollow, erratic, flute-like calls. Both the males and females are known to sing. The conservation status of the Kaua`i `ō`ō is endangered because of the Kaua`i `ō`ō's limited range it’s seriously degraded habitat and invasive bee hummingbirds