Hawaiian Treasure:
‘Iʻiwi The eye-catching ‘Iʻiwi (pronounced "ee-EE-vee") was once one of the Hawaiian Islands’ most common forest birds. In Hawaiian mythology, the demi-god Maui particularly loved the native forest birds, and painted them in bright reds and golds. Maui made the ‘Iʻiwi especially colorful, with a unique call that resonated throughout the forest. Hawaiians treasure the ‘Iʻiwi, but this signature island bird is becoming scarce. Like other native species such as the Maui Parrotbill and the Palila, it has disappeared from most of its former range.
What caused these declines, and why are tiny, six-legged creatures partly to blame? | |
