.png)
Ecological Importance
Honeycreepers fulfill important roles in the forest. If our native birds thrive, so do our forests, because they:
-
Provide pollination and seed dispersal for native plants.
-
Eat grubs and insects.
-
Contribute to nutrient cycling.
-
Help sustain our vital watershed forests.
It is no exaggeration to say that Hawai'i's native forests co-evolved with the native forest birds. Nectivorous honeycreepers and their host plants developed specific relationships over millions of years. Insectivorous honeycreepers helped control the populations of plant-eating invertebrates like caterpillars and beetle grubs. While the ʻalalā (Hawaiian crow) is the most well-known seed disperser, honeycreepers also played their part. In fact, the māmane tree on the slopes of Mauna Kea relies exclusively on the palila to distribute their seeds.
Healthy forests provide homes for other native species and contribute to the health of our aquifers. Losing the honeycreepers means more than just losing these incredible birds- we lose the delicate connections that keep our native island ecosystems whole.
"Hahai no ka ua i ka ulula`au"
The rain follows after the forest.
Hawaiian proverb
Left: 'Ākohekohe pollinating an ʻōhiʻa tree (PC: Jim Denny)
Middle: An 'akikiki successfully forages for invertebrates (PC: Graham Talaber)