Loxops

Loxops
The extinct Oʻahu ʻakepa, Loxops wolstenholmei
Male above, female below.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Suborder: Passeri
Parvorder: Passerida
Family: Fringillidae
Subfamily: Carduelinae
Tribe: Hemignathini
Genus: Loxops
Cabanis, 1847
Species

see text

Loxops is a Hawaiian honeycreeper genus in the finch family, Fringillidae.

The genus contains the following species:[1]

Characteristics

Loxops average the size of 11 cm. They are considered a finch-like bird that also have a notched tail. Their bills have a cone shape to them and they are pale blue with a dark tip. They are also hard to find in the field. Males typically are a darker shade of green on the top while their belly-side is yellow. They also have a black mask that covers their face up until behind its eye while its forehead, forecrown, and backside is also yellow. Females resemble the same colors as the males, but the colors are muted and less vibrant.[2]

Breeding

The Loxops commonly breed during the months of March and April and possibly during the months of February to June. The nests of the Loxops are found in the `ohi`a trees.[2]

Information

The Loxops are considered an endangered species while its population has been rapidly declining over the last ten years. The Loxops are mainly located in Kaua`i in the Hawaiian Islands, USA. Modern developments that take over the environment are threatening the Loxops and reducing their habitat availability in the Koke`e region. A lof of the current region of the Loxops is protected by Alaka`i Wilderness Preserve and, to some extent, by Koke`e State Park.[2]

References

  1. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David (eds.). "Finches, euphonias". World Bird List Version 5.3. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Akekee Loxops caeruleirostris". Bird Life. Retrieved 21 December 2012.


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 13, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.