At the end of December, a significant announcement was made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stating their plan to designate roughly 275,000 acres of land as crucial habitat for the endangered ‘I’iwi bird. As one of Hawaii’s most renowned endangered honeycreepers, this declaration aims to protect and preserve this fascinating species.
In the year 2021, an organization named the Centre for Biological Diversity took legal action against the government due to its failure to recognize crucial habitats that play a crucial role in preserving the Hawaiian forest birds’ existence. This legal case seeks to protect the natural environment found in the beautiful islands of Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai’i in Hawaii.
Maxx Phillips, the Center’s dedicated attorney and Hawaii director, emphasized that safeguarding the habitats of the breathtaking ‘I’iwi birds holds the key to their existence. While acknowledging the positive outcome of the Service’s decision, Phillips expressed concern that a legal intervention shouldn’t have been necessary. Urgent actions need to be taken by federal authorities to ensure the recovery of these birds and halt their unfortunate decline towards extinction, especially as the serene woodlands face a disheartening silence.
With its vibrant red feathers, ebony wings, and gently-curved beak, the ‘iwi bird possesses striking characteristics that make it easily recognizable. Once abundantly found among Hawaii’s native forests, these enchanting avian creatures have now been confined to just three islands. Regrettably, it seems highly likely that the ‘iwi population on Kaua’i will vanish within the next three decades.
The ‘I’iwi, like other native forest birds in Hawaii, face a significant threat from avian malaria. Sadly, these birds have a low resistance to the disease, resulting in an alarming 95% death rate among those infected. It is disheartening to know that almost every ‘I’iwi that contracts avian malaria succumbs to this deadly illness.
Fortunately, the ‘I’iwi have managed to find refuge in the cooler temperatures of higher-elevation woodlands, where mosquitoes, the carriers of avian malaria, are unable to survive. However, with the accelerating impacts of global climate change, even these elevated areas in Hawaii are experiencing rising temperatures. This poses a new challenge for the ‘I’iwi, as their safe havens gradually become less secure due to the changing climate.
The challenges posed by the essential habitat classification were acknowledged, emphasizing the need to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds. Additionally, the preservation and restoration of high-elevation native forests were identified as crucial by the authorities. In a recent development, the Department of the Interior introduced an alternative plan aimed at preventing the extinction of endangered Hawaiian birds.