Unsung Pollinators of the U.S.
Conservation begins with you!
Why am I vulnerable?
In Maui, Hawaii I have a few things to watch out for. One of them is mosquitos! Just like you, I do not like them. They carry diseases that are dangerous for me such as avian malaria. The malaria makes me sick and can even kill me. The only thing stopping the disease is temperature. Malaria can survive only in warm temperatures. This is why we ʻĀkohekohe birds mostly live in such high places where the temperature is cool. Sometimes younger birds venture to lower elevation for food or because it is the only place they can find their own territory. As they venture toward lower elevations they are met with the dangerous mosquitos. [5]
Another reason we are endangered is habitat loss and introduced species. Some introduced species include feral pigs, feral cats, and barn owls. Pigs in particular damage a lot of important vegetation which depletes nectar resources we need for food when the Ohia bloom is less available. [5]
Right now we ʻĀkohekohe are listed as endangered by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. 2,000 acres of a nature area reserve has been fenced in and the wild ungulates, mainly pigs were removed. This ensures that we will have food. [2]
