The ʻapapane (Himatione sanguinea, pronounced /ˌɑ pɑˈpɑ neɪ/, ah-pah-PAH-ney ) is a small, crimson species of Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. They are the most abundant and widely distributed honeycreeper and are found on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Maui, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu.
ʻApapane commonly forage in the canopies of ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha ) trees, drinking nectar from the flowers and serving as important pollinators. Hawaiians primarily used red feathers from ʻiʻiwi, but also some from ʻapapane, to adorn the ʻahuʻula (capes), mahiole (helmets), and nā lei hulu (feather leis) of aliʻi (Hawaiian nobility).
ʻApapane are small at 13 cm (5.1 in) when fully grown. They are sexually dimorphic in size: male ʻapapane have a mass of 16 g (0.56 oz), while females average 14.4 g (0.51 oz). Adult ʻapapane are overall bright crimson, with distinct white undertail-coverts and lower abdomen feathers. They have black primaries and retricies. Juvenile ʻapapane are yellow-brown and gray, with the same white plumage as adults, and molt into crimson plumage over the course of two years. 'Apapane are often seen in a tail-up posture, showing off their white feathers.
ʻApapane are found in native mesic and wet forests dominated by ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha ) and koa (Acacia koa ) trees. Their range is extensive and their densities change as they undergo frequent temporal and seasonal migrations in search of flowering ʻōhiʻa. They are detected at low elevations on most islands, however, most ʻapapane are found at elevations above 4,100 feet (1,200 m), where there are fewer mosquitoes and therefore less disease pressure (See Threats and Conservation Section). 'Apapane live on the islands of Hawaiʻi (~86% of the population: 1,080,000 ± 25,000 est. 1986), Maui (228,480 ± 19,855 est. 2017 for East Maui and 20,521 ± 1,687 est. 2009 for West Maui ), Kauaʻi (98,506 est. 2012), Molokaʻi (38,643 ± 2,360 est. 1979), Oʻahu (24,000 ± 2,600 est. 1991), and Lānaʻi (540 ± 213 est. 1979). Their populations are stable and are considered a species of least concern by IUCN.
ʻApapane have tubular, brush-tipped tongues and decurved bills adapted for nectar feeding. They frequent ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha ) trees, feeding on the flowers in conspecific and mixed-species flocks, and range widely to followʻōhiʻa flowering phenology. ʻApapane also glean insects and spiders from leaves and small twigs in the canopy; they do not forage on the ground. In 1953, a study of 63 'apapane found that 87% of them had butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) in their stomachs; 75% had eaten hoppers (Homoptera); 60% ate lacewing larvae (Neuroptera); and 43% had recently consumed spiders (Arachnida). Other native trees that 'apapane use for foraging are māmane (Sophora chrysophylla), koa (Acacia koa ), naio (Myoporum sandwicense), kōlea (Myrsine lessertiana), alani (Melicope sp. ), kanawao (Broussaisia arguta ), koki'o ke'oke'o (Hibiscus arnottianus ), and 'ōlapa (Cheirodendron trigynum ).
The breeding season starts in Oct/Nov and peaks February through June. ʻApapane nests are often on the terminal branch of ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha ); nests have been found in tree cavities and lava tubes as well as in the top of koa (Acacia koa ), kāwaʻu (Ilex anomala ) and hapuʻu (Cibotium tree ferns). The female lays 1-4 eggs and incubates for 13 days. Interestingly, during incubation the male does not visit the nest but will feed the female when she is away from the nest. While the female does not sing or call from the nest, she locates her singing male and begs for food. Once the eggs hatch, nestlings are fed by both parents. Young 'apapane are dependent on their parents for less than 4 months.
