Himatione sanguinea
The Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) is an iconic and vibrant Hawaiian honeycreeper, celebrated for its striking plumage and ecological significance. Averaging about 13 cm (5.1 inches) in length and weighing around 16 grams (0.56 ounces), adults are predominantly a brilliant crimson red, strikingly contrasted by black primary and secondary wing feathers, a black tail, and a distinctive white undertail covert patch, which serves as a key field mark. Juveniles present a drabber, brownish-yellow st...
Apapane primarily inhabit native montane wet forests, especially those dominated by 'ohi'a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees, typically found at elevations between 1,200 and 2,000 meters (4,000–6,500 feet), though they can be observed from sea level to over 3,000 meters (10,000 feet).
The Apapane's primary diet consists of nectar, predominantly from the 'ohi'a lehua tree (Metrosideros polymorpha), which they collect using their specialized brush-tipped tongues, supplemented by small arthropods gleaned from foliage.
Highly active and diurnal, Apapane spend their days vigorously foraging among flowering trees, often roosting communally or solitarily in dense forest canopy at night. Their foraging strategy is characterized by agile movements, including frequent hovering like hummingbirds, as they probe deep in...
The Apapane is endemic to the Hawaiian Archipelago, historically occurring on all the main islands except Kahoʻolawe, and is still found on Hawaiʻi (Big Island), Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, and in relictual populations on Oʻahu. It is most abundant on Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Kauaʻi, where substantial trac...
Least Concern
- The Apapane is often considered the most abundant native Hawaiian forest bird, widespread across the main islands. - Its specialized brush-tipped tongue is perfectly adapted for extracting nectar from flowers, making it a crucial pollinator for the iconic 'ohi'a lehua tree. - Historically, Apap...