Hemignathus
| Hemignathus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hemignathus lucidus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily: | Carduelinae |
| Tribe: | Hemignathini |
| Genus: | Hemignathus (but see text) Lichtenstein, 1839 |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Akialoa | |
Hemignathus is a Hawaiian honeycreeper genus in the finch family, Fringillidae. These birds are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
Many of its species became extinct during the 19th and 20th centuries due to a combination of habitat destruction, introduced predators, and most importantly mosquito-borne diseases. Some others became extinct in prehistoric times, when Polynesian settlers deforested the lowlands for agriculture.
Systematics
(Sub)Genus Hemignathus sensu stricto - pointed or long and downcurved bills, insectivores or nectarivores. The Nukupu‘u:
- Giant nukupu‘u, Hemignathus vorpalis - prehistoric
- Maui nukupuʻu Hemignathus affinis - probably extinct (late 1990s?)
- Oʻahu nukupuʻu Hemignathus lucidus - extinct (1837)
- Kauaʻi nukupuʻu Hemignathus hanapepe - probably extinct (late 1990s?)
(Sub)Genus Heterorhynchus - long and downcurved upper and short and stout lower bill, probes for insects
- ʻAkiapolaʻau, Heterorhynchus wilsoni
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