Akiapōlāʻau Wili Puka Time

ʻAkiapōlāʻau (Hemignathus wilsoni, Hemignathus munroi) - one of Hawaiʻi's last remaining endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers. They are found only on Hawaiʻi island and have incredibly specialized beaks, which they use to drill holes (lower mandible) and fish out their prey (upper mandible), typically arthropods. This ʻAki is in the middle of his wili puka time (hold drilling time), searching for his favorite: Koa Longhorn larva. He drills with such force, particles from the acacia koa tree fly about! This species is critically endangered mainly due to habitat loss and mosquito-borne avian illnesses. Artwork is 11(w) x 14(h) matted in a 16 x 20 frame Keywords: painting, watercolor, nature, birds, hawaiiana, native bird, honeycreeper

Materials: watercolor and graphite