Myadestes obscurus
The Omao, *Myadestes obscurus*, is a medium-sized, endemic Hawaiian thrush, typically measuring 17-20 cm (6.7-7.9 inches) in length and weighing 34-42 grams (1.2-1.5 oz). Its plumage is predominantly a soft, brownish-gray, with slightly darker olive-brown upperparts and paler, grayish-white underparts, often displaying a subtle rufous wash on the flanks and undertail coverts. A distinguishing field mark is its prominent white eye-ring, which strikingly contrasts with its dark eyes, complement...
The Omao primarily inhabits dense, wet montane forests dominated by native 'ōhi'a lehua (*Metrosideros polymorpha*) and 'ōlapa (*Cheirodendron trigynum*) trees on Hawai'i Island, typically at elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 meters (3,300-6,600 feet).
The Omao is an omnivore, feeding predominantly on the fleshy fruits of native Hawaiian plants, particularly 'ōlapa (*Cheirodendron trigynum*) and 'ōhi'a (*Metrosideros polymorpha*), supplemented by a significant intake of insects and other small invertebrates gleaned from foliage or caught in sho...
The Omao is a diurnal species, active from dawn to dusk, foraging quietly within the forest understory and mid-canopy before roosting solitarily or in pairs among dense foliage. Its foraging strategy involves gleaning fruits and invertebrates from branches and leaves, often performing quick salli...
The Omao is strictly endemic to Hawai'i Island, the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, where it is found across its montane wet forests. Its breeding range encompasses the elevated slopes of Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualālai, and Kohala volcanoes, predominantly within contiguous native 'ōhi...
Vulnerable
- The Omao is one of only four native Hawaiian thrush species still surviving, out of a historical seven, making it a rare living relic of Hawaiian avifauna. - Its Hawaiian name "Omao" is thought to be an onomatopoeia, mimicking one of its distinctive call notes. - This species is a crucial seed ...