Birds Guide

The 'O'os (Moho) are a genus of now extinct birds originated from a group of Australian honeyeaters (Meliphagidade) which were probably drifted by tropical storms across thousands of kilometres to the Hawaiian Islands.^[1] Their plumage was general striking glossy black, some species had yellowish axillary tufts and other black outer feathers. Most of these species became extinct by habitat loss and by extensive hunting because their plumage were used for the creation of precious robes and capes for nobilities.^[1] The Kauai 'O'o was the last species of that genus which became extinct and it was probably a victim of the avian malaria.^[2]

Taxonomy

The following species belong to that genus

• Oahu 'O'o (Moho apicalis) - Extinct ca. 1837
  Molokai 'O'o or Bishop's 'O'o (Moho bishopi) - Extinct ca. 1904
  Hawaii 'O'o (Moho nobilis) - Extinct ca. 1934
  Kauai 'O'o (Moho braccatus) - Extinct ca. 1987

References

1. ^ ^a b Flannery, Tim & Schouten, Peter (2001): A Gap in Nature
2. ^ Fuller, Errol (2000): Extinct Birds

• Day, David (1981): The Doomsday Book of Animals
• Greenway, James C. (1967): Extinct and Vanishing Birds of the World

External links

• Short description of the Moho species (French)
• Bishop's 'O'o
• Kauai 'O'o
• Naturalis - Hawaii 'O'o