Artificial incubation, hand-rearing, behavior, and release of common 'Amakihi(Hemignathus virens virens): Surrogate research for restoration of endangered Hawaiian forest birds

Abstract

In order to test the effectiveness of captive‐rearing and release strategies for future restoration of birds in Hawai'i, this pilot study was conducted in forests where introduced avian disease and mammalian predators were present. Methodology used resulted in the first successful hatching of Drepanidinae eggs in an incubator and subsequent hand‐rearing of chicks from hatch. Sixteen Common 'Amakihi (Hemignathus virens virens) (mean hatch weight = 1.4 g) were hand‐reared. Two different reintroduction strategies were evaluated for small honeycreepers. Known mortality in the wild after release was due to mosquito‐transmitted disease (avian malaria and pox). This pilot study shows that the techniques necessary to hatch, rear, and release endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers are available. However, restoration efforts will probably not succeed unless mosquito‐free, predator‐controlled reintroduction sites are available or strategies are developed to decrease mortality in naive honeycreepers exposed to disease after release. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Pathogenicity of Avian Malaria in Experimentally-Infected Hawaii Amakihi

“…The fact that some high elevation native honeycreepers have the ability to survive malarial infections bodes well for the longterm survival of these species, but this optimism must be tempered with the observation that others, like the Iiwi, appear to have virtually no resistance to the disease (Atkinson et al, 1995). Failure to incorporate this knowledge into captive propagation and translocation protocols can lead to catastrophic loss of the entire cohort of released birds if it coincides with seasons and locations where malaria transmission is endemic (Kuehler et al, 1996). If vector control techniques prove to be impractical in remote forest habitats, one of the great challenges facing natural resource managers in Hawaii will be development of effective techniques for identifying more disease-resistant individuals for restoration of self-sustaining, low-elevation populations.…”

Artificial incubation, egg replacement and adoptive parents in bird management: a test with Lesser ElaeniaElaenia chiriquensis

“…Hatching rates are usually low in wild nests of tropical birds (Skutch 1966). A pattern of high hatching rates of artificially incubated eggs has also been obtained in other species such as Oma’o Myadestes obscurus (93%) and Palila Loxioides bailleui (96%) (Kuehler et al 1993, 1996, 2000, 2001).…”

“…Artificial incubation of eggs collected from natural nests of wild birds reduces the period that eggs are exposed in the wild and thus reduces predation risk (Kuehler et al 1993, 1996, 2000, 2001). So in habitats or regions where nest predation is high, artificial incubation is a potential management tool for increasing reproductive success and population size.…”

Hand‐Rearing and Sex Determination Tool for the Taveta Golden Weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps)

“…Managers can also stimulate birds to lay additional clutches when the first and subsequent clutches are removed to be incubated and hand‐reared. Many conservation and reintroduction programs have also benefited from supplementing wild populations of birds with hand‐reared individuals raised in zoos and other captive breeding centers [Kuehler et al, ; Toone and Risser, ]. Additionally, hand‐rearing gives the opportunity to closely monitor individual growth rates, as well as address pertinent research questions.…”