Honeycreepers

The Hawaiian honeycreepers have become endangered through a variety of interacting ecological stressors. Habitat losses have been important, especially those associated with the conversion of their limited areas of natural-forest habitats to agricultural and urban land-uses, which do not support these native birds. Introduced herbivores, such as goats and pigs, have caused serious damage to honeycreeper habitat, greatly changing the nature of the vegetation, even in remote places. Introduced diseases, such as avian malaria, and introduced predators such as rats, mongooses, and pigs have also caused significant damage to honeycreepers.

Today, the Hawaiian and U.S. governments have designated many of the most important remaining refuges of natural habitat as parks and ecological reserves. Some of these refuges are being managed to maintain their ecological integrity as much as possible. For example, some large areas have been fenced, and the populations of feral goats and pigs have been eliminated or reduced. Unfortunately, these sorts of ecological interventions are required today, and will also be needed in the future if the extraordinary Hawaiian honeycreepers are to survive in their changed and changing world.