The Hawaii Akepa (Loxops coccineus) is a small, endangered honeycreeper endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, found in closed-canopy montane ohia and koa forests. Males are bright red-orange with brown wings, while females are green or grey with yellow undersides. Both sexes possess a distinctive laterally asymmetrical yellow bill, an adaptation for prying open buds to access caterpillars and insects. They are non-territorial, philopatric birds that form mixed-species flocks after breeding and are known for aerial displays and dogfights during the pre-breeding season.
Learn to identify
Adult male Hawaii Akepa at Hakalau Forest NWR, island of Hawaii.
Learning lesson · openly licensed photographs, labelled by BirdBot; labels checked against the cited sources and approved by AI
Small pale bill: yellowish; the tips are slightly crossed. Bright orange body: adult males are bright orange. Brownish wings and tail: darker than the orange body. About 10 cm long: a very small orange bird.
Females are gray-green with some yellow; young males are duller.
Sources: Wikipedia: Hawaiʻi ʻākepa (revision 1383242347) · Animal Diversity Web: Loxops coccineus (Akepa)
Photo: Bettina Arrigoni, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; labels added by BirdBot.
In the field, the laterally asymmetrical yellow bill is the definitive mark of the Hawaii Akepa. While other Hawaiian honeycreepers may share similar size or color, the akepa’s bill is uniquely offset, an adaptation for prying open bud scales to reach caterpillars. When scanning mixed flocks, look for this specific bill shape to distinguish akepas from amakihis or other small honeycreepers. Adult males are bright red-orange with brown wings, while females and juveniles are green or grey with yellow undersides. Because males do not reach full adult plumage until their fourth year, the bill shape is often the only reliable field mark for younger birds.
Hawaii Akepas inhabit closed-canopy forests composed of native trees, primarily ohia (Metrosideros collina) and koa (Acacia koa). The densest populations are typically found at elevations above 1,500 meters. Their range is now very local within the montane forests of the Hawaiian Islands. Little is known about the specific locations of Maui akepa populations, but they are believed to occupy montane areas as well.
Interpreting akepa behavior requires noting the seasonal shift in their social structure. During the pre-breeding season, look for high-energy aerial displays and "dogfights" where males engage in twisting, circular chases up to 100 meters off the ground. These aggressive "song bouts" signal competition for mates. In contrast, post-breeding akepas are non-territorial and join mixed-species flocks with Hawaiian creepers, amakihis, and akiapōlōaʻaus. In these groups, akepas are often the subordinate members, frequently chased by more aggressive territorial birds like iʻiwi and apapane. Their philopatric nature means they return to the same breeding sites within 250 meters of their natal nest, though males may travel up to 5 kilometers to find a mate.
The akepa’s primary diet consists of caterpillars, insects, and spiders. The asymmetrical bill is crucial for this feeding strategy, allowing the bird to pry open bud scales to access prey. Akepas also feed on nectar to a lesser extent. The brushy tip of their tongue, which can be rolled up into a tube, suggests adaptations for nectar feeding, though this may be incidental while searching for insects.
The breeding period for Hawaii Akepas runs from March to September. Pairs form monogamous bonds that can last several years, often only changing mates if the previous partner disappears. Females are responsible for nest construction, while both parents feed the chicks. Clutches typically consist of one or two eggs, with three being rare. The female incubates the eggs for 14 to 16 days, during which the male may feed her. After hatching, the female broods the young for up to 8 days, and both parents feed the chicks. Young akepas leave the nest around 16 to 20 days after hatching and may remain dependent on their parents for up to ten weeks.
Akepas vocalize year-round. The male call is a high-pitched, descending trill. Juveniles use vocalizations primarily to maintain contact with their parents and to beg for food. Little is understood about the full range of functions of akepa vocalizations, but they are not known to make any nonvocal sounds.
The Hawaii Akepa is listed as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List, the United States Endangered Species Act, and the state of Hawaiʻi. The primary threats to the species include habitat destruction from logging and forest clearing for animal grazing, predation by introduced species, and declining numbers of ohia trees, which are essential for nesting. Much of the land akepas inhabit is now protected as state or national parks, but conservation efforts are ongoing to address these threats.
Observing akepas in dense montane forests requires a multi-sensory approach. While walking trails above 1,500 meters, listen for the male’s high-pitched, descending trill, which is often the first sign of the bird in the understory. When you hear a trill, look for the distinctive asymmetrical yellow bill as the bird moves through the canopy. In the post-breeding season, focus on mixed-species flocks; akepas are often the smaller, less aggressive members, so watch for them being chased by iʻiwi or apapane. Always maintain a respectful distance from nesting areas and avoid using playback to lure birds, as this can cause significant stress to these endangered populations.
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