Loxioides bailleui
The Palila (Loxioides bailleui) is a critically endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper, celebrated for its striking plumage and remarkable dietary specialization. Averaging 19 cm (7.5 in) in length and weighing 38-42 grams, this robust passerine sports a bright golden-yellow head and breast, which fades to a duller yellow on its flanks, contrasting with an olive-green back and rump. Its wings and tail are dark gray, and a subtle dark lore mark highlights its eyes. The most distinctive field mark is...
The Palila exclusively inhabits high-elevation dry māmane and māmane-koa forests, primarily between 2,000 and 2,800 meters (6,500-9,000 ft) elevation on Mauna Kea.
The Palila's diet consists almost entirely of the seeds of the māmane tree (Sophora chrysophylla) and the caterpillars that feed on māmane foliage, extracted using its powerful bill.
Palilas are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging for their specialized diet. Their foraging strategy is highly specialized: they use their powerful bills to pry open the tough, woody pods of māmane trees, expertly extracting and consuming the toxic seeds. They also glean caterpillars fr...
The Palila's geographic distribution has undergone severe contraction and is now critically restricted. This Hawaiian honeycreeper is currently found only on the southwestern slopes of Mauna Kea on Hawai'i Island, making it an island endemic with a highly localized range. Historically, it was mor...
Critically Endangered
- The Palila's extremely specialized diet means it is one of the few birds capable of digesting the highly toxic māmane seeds, thanks to unique physiological adaptations. - Its stout, conical bill is a remarkable evolutionary tool, perfectly shaped and strong enough to crack open the tough, woody...