The Heartbreaking Last Song of the Now-Extinct Kauaʻi ʻŌʻō Bird

One of the unique aspects of our modern era is the ability to preserve sights and sounds. While an animal’s extinction means its physical presence is gone forever, technology allows us to experience a small piece of it, such as the poignant call of the very last Kauaʻi ʻōʻō bird, captured in this YouTube video. This also raises an important question: what led to the demise of this now-extinct bird, and what was its final call reaching out to?

The Kauaʻi ʻŌʻō and Its Island Home 

The Kauaʻi ʻōʻō (Moho braccatus) was a unique bird that exclusively lived on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi. It was a type of Hawaiian honeyeater, a group of birds known for their long, narrow bills, perfect for sipping nectar from Hawaiian flowers.

Kauaʻi ʻōʻō birds made their homes in Kauaʻi’s dense lowland forests, particularly in old-growth trees where they nested in tree cavities. They were the smallest of the Hawaiian honeyeaters, measuring between 7.5 and 8.6 inches long. They had a striking appearance with mostly black feathers, bright yellow eyes, and delicate golden-yellow feathers on the upper parts of their legs.

What Happened to the Kauaʻi ʻŌʻō?

For centuries, Kauaʻi ʻōʻō birds thrived in isolation on their island, safe from predators. However, this all changed in the late 18th century when Americans and Europeans began to arrive in Hawaii. The new settlers cut down the forests and brought invasive species that devastated the native wildlife.

By 1973, the population had plummeted to an estimated 36 birds. This decline rapidly continued, and by 1981, only a single pair was documented. The last confirmed sighting of a single male Kauaʻi ʻōʻō bird was in 1985. In 1987, researchers recorded the final known call of the species, captured in this poignant YouTube video. In the video, a male bird sings his mating call, desperately searching for his mate, who has already gone.

Since that heartbreaking recording, there have been no further sightings, videos, or sound recordings of the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially declared the species extinct in 2000.

The Last Call of the Kauaʻi ʻŌʻō

The Kauaʻi ʻōʻō was well known for its clear, flute-like calls. Both male and female birds sang, each with their own distinct call, and often joined together in a beautiful duet. Birdsongs like these are more than just unique sounds; they serve as important long-distance signals that birds use to communicate. For some species, like the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, these calls help attract and identify mates. In many bird species, a male’s song signals his interest in finding a mate and conveys crucial information about his strength and reproductive fitness. While we may appreciate their beauty, birdsongs are also essential communication tools that play a crucial role in successful reproduction. Sadly, for the last Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, his song went unanswered as his mate was already gone.

The Ecological Impacts of Extinction

The Kauaʻi ʻōʻō birds once flourished on the island of Kauaʻi, isolated from the rest of the world and facing few natural predators. However, their population declined rapidly after the arrival of American and European settlers.

The birds’ forest habitats were cleared for new settlements and agriculture, forcing them to move to higher elevations. Unfortunately, these higher-altitude forests lacked the large tree cavities essential for nesting. In addition, two hurricanes, Iwa in 1982 and Iniki in 1992, severely damaged these high-elevation forests.

American and European settlers also introduced new invasive species to the island, like pigs, rats, and cats, which preyed on the vulnerable birds and their eggs and significantly reduced their numbers. In addition, the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, like other Hawaiian honeyeaters, suffered from mosquito-borne diseases like avian malaria and avian pox. These diseases, introduced with the arrival of mosquitoes and the warming climate, were particularly devastating to native birds that had no natural immunity. The Kauaʻi ʻōʻō was the last surviving member of the Hawaiian honeyeater family, which is now entirely extinct.

Kauaʻi has lost over 50% of its native songbirds — a stark reminder of the fragile balance of island ecosystems. Today, the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō remains an important symbol of the island’s diverse biological and cultural heritages. Ancient Hawaiians carefully collected the birds’ vibrant yellow feathers for use in traditional crafts. These feathers adorned capes, leis, and royal standards, some of which are now preserved in museums. Native Hawaiians continue to honor the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō through songs and dances inspired by the bird’s haunting call, reminding us what has been lost and highlighting the need to protect the many other species that still inhabit the island.