Hawaiian Iiwi Could Be Listed as Endangered
By Sophie Cocke

The brightly colored, red iiwi could be placed on the federal endangered species list. 

Also known as the Hawaiian honeycreeper, it has struggled to survive due to habitat destruction, as well as the spread of avian pox and malaria, according to a press release issued by the Center for Biological Diversity. 

The ‘i‘iwi was once widespread throughout the Hawaiian Islands, but is now primarily restricted to high-elevation areas on the Big Island, Maui and Kauai because of a combination of habitat destruction and the spread of avian pox and malaria by mosquitoes. The ‘i‘iwi has survived at high elevations, primarily over 3,600 feet, because it is too cold there for mosquitoes and the deadly diseases they spread; but with climate change mosquitoes are moving uphill and are predicted to cover most remaining ‘i‘iwi habitat as the climate continues to warm.

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