#hapuu

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.

I saw this beautiful tree fern in the New York City botanical garden in the Bronx. It had a beautiful form. It is located in the conservatory area next to the manicure gardens where you can see planted rosemary.