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80. Hawai‘i Mamo

Scientific name: Drepanis pacifica

Hawaiian Name: Mamo

Classification: Phylum: Chordata. Class: Aves.

Origin: Endemic.

Status: Extinct.

Distribution: Last seen in 1898 on the Big Island.

Map: --


This now extinct Big Island honeycreeper was once pletiful throughout the island where it was lured with bird lime and trapped by native Hawaiians for its bright yellow thigh deathers. these were used in the famous feather cloaks worn by the ali‘i (Hawaiian royalty). one cape alone is thought to have caused the death of thousands of these birds needed for their feathers.

   Illustation from Wilson & Evans' "Aves Hawaiiensis".