Myadestes myadestinus
The Kamaʻo (Myadestes myadestinus), an exquisite and melancholic songbird, was a medium-sized thrush endemic to the montane wet forests of Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi, tragically declared extinct in 2016. Measuring approximately 19-20 cm (7.5-8 in) in length and weighing between 34-40 grams, it sported a generally dusky gray-brown plumage, gradually lightening to a pale gray or off-white on its belly, contrasting with a distinctive white eye-ring. Its dark black bill and legs completed a subtle yet elega...
The Kamaʻo was exclusively found in the dense, montane wet forests of Kauaʻi, typically at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,500 meters (2,000 to 5,000 feet), favoring areas with a rich understory and abundant fruiting trees.
The Kamaʻo was an omnivorous species, primarily feeding on a diverse array of native fruits, particularly those from trees like ʻōlapa (Cheirodendron trigynum) and hōʻawa (Pittosporum spp.), supplemented by various insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and branches, and occasionally sallying f...
This solitary and territorial thrush was primarily diurnal, spending its days foraging actively within the forest understory and canopy. It was known for its striking, complex vocalizations, which included a flute-like song characterized by varied whistles, trills, and ventriloquial qualities, of...
The Kamaʻo was strictly endemic to the island of Kauaʻi in the Hawaiian archipelago, where its historical distribution encompassed the vast majority of the island's forested interior. Its preferred habitat was the high-elevation montane wet forest, particularly abundant in the Alakai Wilderness A...
Extinct
- The Kamaʻo was famously known for its exceptionally beautiful, flute-like song, often described as ethereal and ventriloquial, making it one of the most celebrated voices of the Hawaiian forests. - It was one of five endemic Hawaiian solitaires (genus Myadestes), a unique group of thrushes that...