#elepaio

Day 22 of Avian August 2025, Birds of Hawaii, hosted by @cookiedoves: Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) Native to the Big Island of Hawaiʻi and belonging to the monarch flycatcher family, the Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio’s favorite food is insects. Its preferred habitat is the cool, wet rainforests dominated by ʻōhiʻa and koa trees. The understory of these forests is often filled with Hāpuʻu, or Hawaiian tree ferns (Cibotium menziesii). These ferns provide ideal spots for spiders to build webs and attract a variety of insects, making them prime hunting grounds for the flycatchers. The soft fuzz from young fern fronds also serves as excellent nesting material.

Chasiempis sandwichensis Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge Mauna Kea, Hawaiʻi

Chasiempis sandwichensis Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge Mauna Kea, Hawaiʻi

Chasiempis sandwichensis Juvenile plumage Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, Hawaiʻi

Chasiempis sandwichensis Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge Mauna Kea, Hawaiʻi

Chasiempis sandwichensis Hakalau Forest NWR, Hawaiʻi

asdfghjkl ♥ thank you very much!!!