hawaii akepa Loxops coccineus

A small, rare Hawaiian honeycreeper of native forests above 5,000 feet elevation on Hawaii Island. Brilliant orange color of males is unique. The longer tail with a notched tip distinguishes females from other small honeycreepers. Usually stays high in the forest canopy. Nests in cavities of large, hollow trees. The crossed bill that it uses to pry open leaf buds in search of insects and larvae is difficult to see. Song is a wavering trill that changes in pitch and speeds up and slows down. Call is a soft “tiddle-ee.”