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The 'Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) is a flycatcher endemic to Hawaii. In the traditional lore of Hawaii, the 'elepaio was the most celebrated of the birds because it helped canoe-builders to select the right koa tree to use for their canoe. The 'elepaio' was a bold and curious little bird that followed the canoe builders through the dense vegetation. The considered it their guardian spirit, because if the bird pecked at a fallen tree, it was a sign that the tree was riddled with burrowing insects and was not suitable. There was a saying, 'Ua 'elepaio 'ia ka wa'a, 'The canoe is marked by the 'elepaio' (Kanahele 1996:29, Soehren 1996:1).
The 'elepaio was the first bird to sing in the morning and the last to sing at night. It nests between January and June. The 'elepaio was favored for another reason - it was good to eat (Kanahele 1996:29, Soehren 1996:1).
Subspecies
There are several suspecies of the Hawai'ian 'Elepaio. The photograph is of a female Chasiempis sandwichensis ridgwayi (Volcano 'Elepaio). ssp. ridgwayi is the most common 'Elepaio today, with a population of around 100.000-150.000, that is more than half of the total number of 'Elepaio. The other two subspecies occurring on Big Island are ssp. sandwichensis from Kona, which has whitish forehead and eyebrows, and the rare ssp. bryani from Mauna Kea, which has the entire head heavily washed with white. The 'Elepaio from O'ahu, C. sandwichensis ibidis, is listed as threatened. The form from Kaua'i, C. (sandwichensis) sclateri most probably is a distinct species.
External links
References
- George S. Kanahele, 1996. Waikiki 100 B.C. to 1900 A.D. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
- Rick Soehren, 1996. The Birdwatcher's Guide to Hawai'i. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
"'Elepaio"