Birdsong field guide
Iiwi
Drepanis coccinea
The Iiwi is an iconic Hawaiian honeycreeper instantly recognizable by its brilliant scarlet plumage and long, salmon-colored decurved bill. It is a specialist nectarivore and a key pollinator of native high-elevation flora.
What it sounds like
A complex series of whistles, gurgles, and a signature metallic 'creaking' sound resembling a rusty hinge.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- Its uniquely curved bill co-evolved to perfectly fit the tubular blossoms of native lobeliads and ʻōhiʻa lehua trees.
- Historically, its vibrant red feathers were harvested by Hawaiian royalty to create elaborate ceremonial capes and helmets.
- The species is extremely susceptible to avian malaria, restricting its modern range to high-altitude forests above the mosquito line.
- During flight, its wings produce a characteristic whirring or creaking sound that is audible from a distance.
- While primarily a nectar feeder, it also consumes small arthropods and butterflies to supplement its protein intake.
Habitat
High-elevation wet and mesic native forests, particularly those dominated by ʻōhiʻa lehua and koa.
Range
Main Hawaiian Islands, with surviving populations primarily on Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Kauaʻi.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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