The Loxioides bailleui (scientific name) or palila is presently found only on the Mauna Kea slopes on the island of Hawaii. Measuring 6.0-7.5 inches in length, this bird has a lovely yellow head and breast, olive-green wings and tail and light-to-medium grey plumage on the lower and upper parts respectively. Its diet is solely comprised of seeds from the Mamane tree. Additionally, they also eat berries, caterpillars, fruits, buds, mamane tree flowers, etc. An average clutch has 2 eggs laid in a nest usually built in the Mamane or Naio tree. Seeing its ecological relationship with the Mamane tree, it is understandable that with the destruction of these trees due to deforestation, the IUCN listing of this bird is now CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.
Palila
