ʻAkiapōlāʻau ( Hemignathus wilsoni, Hemignathus munroi) - one of Hawai'i's last remaining endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers. They are only found on Hawai'i island and have incredibly specialized beaks, which they use to drill holes (lower mandible) and fish out their prey (upper mandible), typically arthropods. This species is critically endangered mainly due to habitat loss and mosquito-borne avian illnesses. This particular ʻAkiapōlāʻau is perched on its favorite acacia koa tree, readying itself to flit to another branch and peck through to more ʻono grub.
KEYWORDS: painting, watercolor, nature, birds, hawaiiana, native bird, honeycreeper
