National Parks/ Sanctuaries
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Common Names
poo-uli
Regions
Hawaii, United States
Population
0
Habitat
High-elevation, native wet forests on the northeastern slopes of Haleakalā volcano
Weight(in lbs) and Life Span
15–20 g and 8–12 years
Regions
Hawaii, United States
The Poo-uli was a small Hawaiian songbird in the honeycreeper family, measuring around 14 cm (5.5 inches) in length. It had a distinctive black facial mask, gray-brown plumage, and pale underparts. Unlike most nectar-feeding Hawaiian honeycreepers, the Poo-uli fed primarily on snails, insects, and larvae found in the mossy understory of native forests. It was shy and cryptic, making it difficult to observe in the wild. The species was only discovered in 1973 and had an extremely limited range. Despite habitat protections and intensive recovery efforts, including attempted captive breeding and translocation, the species could not recover from its sharp decline and is now classified as extinct.
Activity Instructions
- Draw the Animal: Use the next page to draw a picture of the animal. Use your imagination and make it colorful!
- Write an Essay: Write a short essay about the conservation efforts to save this animal. Here are some questions to guide you:
- Why is this species important in its ecosystem?
- What are the threats it faces, and how can we help?
- What do you find most interesting about this species?
