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Becky being an icon✨. Photo by Justin Hite. 

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Becky was a beloved bird, whose nickname is a tribute to Becky Geelhood (the woman who assisted the Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project to collect ‘Akikiki eggs in 2017), was a favorite of many. Becky was the first 'deca-mom' ever encountered, having successfully raised 10 young in her lifetime.

Her legacy includes the two captive eggs that hatched in 2017 (from the HOPE nest). She continued her success by fledging two nests of two chicks each that same year, and in 2018, fledging four more chicks from two separate nests.

She paired with a male named Ogre, and nested in areas that revealed the ‘Akikiki's preference for certain nesting sites: her five successful nests were clustered in two spots where numerous other ‘Akikiki nests had been found over the years, built by different females.

Sadly, Becky was last seen in November, 2018. But as a vary successful mother, her genes are still carried by her offspring in captivity.

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BAWB (band number BK-AL-WH-BU) & His 2019 Mate (unbanded)

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BAWB (band number BK-AL-WH-BU) & His 2019 Mate (unbanded)

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BAWB and his 2019 mate were only a pair for the 2019 breeding season. Finding these two birds together sadly meant that BAWB's mate from 2017-18, named Bao-Bao had passed away.

BAWB proved that male 'Akikiki can change territories (even if not very far), as he moved one territory to the south after his previous mate died. He and his 2019 mate made an incredible nest in a giant 'Ohi'a tree hanging over the void of Mamaki Canyon.

Sadly, it was never determined whether that nest succeeded, and BAWB was never seen after that year.

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Pākele is one of the last wild ‘Akikiki.

She was first seen in 2020, when she made a nest in October (the LATE nest), completely outside of the breeding season of March-June. In 2021 two nests of hers were found, and she fledged at least two nests that year (unknown, HOPE).

In 2022, Pākele proved her amazing mothering skills when she fledged three nests successfully, the first time an 'Akikiki was seen fledging three nests in a season (SHAG, JUNO, unknown). She was seen with kids in tow in March. Later, a second nest would be found. This nest also fledged, and more offspring were seen in July and August.

In 2023, during the last functional wild breeding season for the 'Akikiki (for now) she made no more than 6 nests. The first three were made with an older male, the last three with a younger one. Attempts were made to collect her, but all of these failed. Many adult 'Akikiki that are brought from the wild into captivity don't make it, it's usually the eggs or nestlings that survive and breed.

Her first nest of 2023 was PELE. This one failed due to a heavy storm. Small chicks were found wet and dead beside it.

Her second nest was FIRE. In this one, two eggs were successfully collected. These birds are still alive in captivity, and hopefully, they will be able to breed and keep the species alive.

Her third nest was HEAT. Two eggs were laid, but the nest was damaged, the eggs didn't make it, and her previous mate was never seen again.

The fourth nest was LAVA. She paired with her new mate, and two eggs were collected, but only one survived past hatching.

The fifth nest was LIKO. Two eggs were collected, but only one survived.

The final nest was OMAO. This nest was built, but no eggs were ever laid in it.

From July 2023 to March 2024, she was seen all alone in her territory. She would call loudly as she foraged but was still always alone.

In April 2024 her final nest, named ALOHA, was found. She was seen sitting in it for less than an hour, but no eggs (or signs of eggs) were ever found.

Pākele was last seen in 2024. The 'Akikiki is functionally extinct in the wild, if there are any remaining wild birds that are unknown, the population would be too small to effectively breed. The only hope for the 'Akikiki is its captive population, about 50 birds in the Maui and Keauhou Bird Conservation Centers. The hope is that, with the use of natural mosquito suppression efforts, the invasive mosquitoes that spread the avian malaria and pox that kill these birds with be eradicated, and the captive birds can be released into a forest that is safe for them to live and breed.

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2024 was a rough year for 'akikiki (to say the least.) Coming out of it, they are considered to be functionally extinct in the wild. However, Pākele shows a story of resilience, tenacity, and hope for her species.

Justin Hite worked at the Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project for many years, always on the front lines in the fight to save the 'akikiki. At the start of 2025, he shared a summary of his feelings for 2024:

"Hope. I've given up, I've watched too many 'akikiki disappear from too many territories across the entire Alaka'i, and I just can't summon the hope anymore. But it seems [Pākele] can. She's out there still trying, still breeding, or trying to even though there’s no one to breed with, trying to save her species, and she'll try single-handed if she has to. Finding her nest, but it's just her at it, just her trying to save her species on her own. Finding an 'akikiki nest is already one of the most beautiful things in life to us on this trip, we revel in the magic and the beauty and the serendipity and all the twists and turns that bring our eyes to the little shaggy ball of moss high in the mossy forest. We often tear up a little when we find their nests, it's always a perfect moment. Being part of that one last time, sharing it with good friends, having it be Pakele's nest...it meant everything to me."

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BAWB's (adorable) unbanded 2019 mate. Photo by Justin Hite.

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In the spring of 2018, a young ʻAkikiki, later nicknamed Carrot, fledged from a mossy nest in the Waiʻalae watershed. This occurred during the last ʻakikiki baby boom, with 40-60 fledglings from 27 pairs having been born.

On February 23, 2019, Carrot was captured in a mist net and banded by the Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP). His distinctive orange and green bands earned him his nickname.

KFBRP wanted to study ʻAkikiki movement and behavior using radio transmitters, and Carrot was tagged with a very small one. His transmitter revealed that young males roam widely, unlike older, territorial males.

Throughout 2019, Carrot was observed frequently within the territories of other males. However, the ʻAkikiki population in Waiʻalae began to decline, with only half of the banded adults surviving from 2018 to 2019.

In 2020, Carrot paired with an older female named Snowflake and successfully fledged two young from their first nest. They may have even fledged young from a second nest, though this is not confirmed.

By 2021, the Waiʻalae forest was nearly devoid of ʻAkikiki. Only five adults remained. Carrot paired with a bird named Na Pua, as Snowflake had disappeared, and they fledged the only two chicks in the valley: Abby and Erica.

In December 2021, an attempt was made to capture the remaining ʻAkikiki for conservation breeding, a last-ditch effort to save the species from total extinction. Erica was caught and transferred to the captive flock on Maui. Carrot eluded the KFBRP until August 2022, when he was finally caught. Na Pua had disappeared, and they were never able to capture Abby. Carrot was transferred to Maui to join the flock, which holds around 50 birds.

Tragically, Carrot died a few weeks after making it to Maui from a fungal infection in his lungs, where he could have lived in safety from avian malaria for the rest of his days. Carrot may no longer be with us, but his legacy lives on in his daughter Erica, who lives in the breeding center to this day.

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BAWB's unbanded 2019 mate. Photo by Justin Hite. 

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Carrot's leg bands that gave him his name. Photo by Cali Crampton.

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Carrot being held by conservationist Justin Hite.

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A younger Carrot. Photo by Cali Crampton.

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'Ahina when first banded. Photo by Justin Hite.

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The first time 'Āhina was seen was the first time the Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project had ever banded a bird in the Upper Upper Kawaikoi Valley. The valley was a perfect home for 'Akikiki, with a tall and extensive canopy of 'Ohi'a trees. On the first banding day, in February 2018, three 'Akeke'e, one Puaiohi, and two 'Akikiki were caught in the same mist nest.

One of these 'Akikiki was ‘Āhina. When caught, her back toe (or hallux) had a lesion on it from avian pox. This is a serious threat for an 'Akikiki, as avian pox causes toes to fall off, which makes it impossible for a bird that scampers around branches to survive.

Despite this, the ‘Āhina was observed throughout the 2018 season and subsequent years. In 2022, her mate (Voldy) and a fledgling (Petrie) were also banded. Petrie had recently fledged and was hopping along branches being fed by their parents when they missed a branch and fluttered to the ground. Petrie was then banded and released to flutter back up to their parents.

Sadly, Petrie was not seen long after this, but 'Āhina and Voldy were seen in early 2023.

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Alger Mauvember - Band Number AL-GN-MV-RE

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Alger Mauvember - Band Number AL-GN-MV-RE

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Alger Mauvember was a male ‘akikiki that was originally banded in 2013 (or 2012) and was regularly seen on the same territory from 2013 to 2019. He achieved the distinction of being an eight year old bird, tied with “Sunset” as the oldest-observed wild ‘akikiki. Throughout his time on this territory, he had at least three different unbanded mates: an older female from 2015-2017, a young female in 2018, and another young female in 2019.

After 2019, he disappeared from this territory, and no other ‘akikiki has been seen defending the area since. Notably, he was one of the most trusting individuals that was ever observed, often allowing researchers to approach within 6 feet without showing signs of any disturbance. Additionally, he was the first ‘akikiki documented to successfully fledge two nests in the same year (2015).

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Becky held in a researcher's hand during banding. Photo by Justin Hite. 

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The sassyness is beautiful. Photo by Justin Hite.

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The HALE Nest Family of 4: BAWB, Baobao, Yyab, and Hale

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The HALE Nest Family of 4: BAWB, Baobao, Yyab, and Hale

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The HALE Nest Family of 4: BAWB, Baobao, Yyab, and Hale

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The HALE Nest Family of 4: BAWB, Baobao, Yyab, and Hale

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The HALE Nest Family of 4: BAWB, Baobao, Yyab, and Hale

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The HALE Nest Family of 4: BAWB, Baobao, Yyab, and Hale

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Alger Mauvember's HONI Nest with Unbanded 2nd Year Female

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Alger Mauvember's HONI Nest with Unbanded 2nd Year Female

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Alger Mauvember's HONI Nest with Unbanded 2nd Year Female

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Alger Mauvember's HONI Nest with Unbanded 2nd Year Female

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Alger Mauvember's HONI Nest with Unbanded 2nd Year Female

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Alger Mauvember's HONI Nest with Unbanded 2nd Year Female

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The First Chick That Hatched from the FIRE Nest at the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center.

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The First Chick That Hatched from the FIRE Nest at the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center.

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Evergreen at the LOVE nest. Video by Justin Hite.

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Evergreen was the mother of the first eggs collected in 2018 from her LOVE nest. Their father was Bumble the Male.

There were not many eggs collected from 'Akikiki that year, as the Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project focused mostly on collecting eggs from 'Akeke'e, another critically endangered forest bird. Sadly, while 'Akikiki can successfully breed in captivity, 'Akeke'e have never been able to. The 'Akeke'e has seen the fastest decline of any honeycreeper, and their future depends on the success of mosquito suppression efforts.

This was a very early nest, and that year, they made another nest, OMAO, only 30 meters away in one of the most beautiful spots in the Alaka'i Swamp, known as the Sunset Bowl. This spot hosted many other Akikiki nests and was also the spot where the bird Carrot was finally captured.

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Conservationist Justin Hite climbs up to collect eggs from the LOVE nest. Photo by Justin Hite.

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Position of the LOVE nest. Photo by Justin Hite.

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Eggs being taken down from the LOVE nest. Photo by Justin Hite.

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The Fish Babes - Band Number(s) BU-RE-RE-AL (female) and OR-OR-BU-AL (male)

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The Fish Babes - Band Number(s) BU-RE-RE-AL (female) and OR-OR-BU-AL (male)

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The Fish Babes were a pair of birds that nested in an important spot for the 'akikiki.

"[The] Central Mamaki is a very special place, perhaps the most special to me when it comes to ‘akikiki. It feels like the spiritual center of Halepa’akai, halfway between the headwaters and the main stream, at the locus of the three branches. The center of a compass. And year after year there were ‘akikiki nesting here," Justin Hite says while recalling their nesting site.

After collecting their eggs from the BABE nest in 2017, the birds were banded. The collection process itself was unique, as the nesting tree grew sideways out of a steep hill, and only a single half of a ladder was needed that was placed on the tree itself.

The Fish Babes were unique, too. The female was super chunky, the heaviest 'akikiki ever known, she weighed 17+ grams. She "looked like a migratory warbler with all that fat." They'd had a rough lead-up to this nest, since their previous one (FISH), only 10 meters away, had been abandoned after the first of two eggs had hatched. The female had been observed incubating them, but never went at it again after the first egg had hatched.

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On April 24th, 2025, Pākele was sighted by KFBRP staff, who saw her foraging surrounded by a group of 'anianiau. After 4 months with no sign of her, it had been feared that the last female 'akikiki had passed, but this sighting shows she still persists, flying around in her old territory.