NESTING-BEHAVIOR OF THE POO-ULI

We describe two sequential nestings of a pair of Poo-uli (Melamprosops phaeosoma), a Hawaiian honeycreeper nearing extinction. Similarities to nesting of most other honeycreepers included: nest site in ohia leh ua (Metrosideros polymorpha Gaud.) canopy; breeding in March through J une; monogamous breeding system with the putative male helping build t he nest, feeding the putative female throughout each nesting event, an d feeding the chicks, but not incubating or breeding; and complete nes t sanitation. Notable differences were the paucity of songs and calls by the parents and inclusion of snails in the diet of nestlings. Clutc h size was probably two eggs for both nests. High winds, rain, or both influenced parental behavior: the female stayed longer on the nest an d took shorter recesses in poor weather. Weather did not affect rates at which the male fed the female on the nest; however, the feeding rar e increased from the egg to the chick stage probably because food was passed on to the chicks. At nest #2, parents fed young chicks (<14 day s old) more often in good than in poor weather; data were insufficient for old chicks. Weather is usually poor throughout the year in the re lictual range of the Poo-uli and is likely to impact nesting success. The first nest failed in poor weather. The second fledged a single you ng 21 days old. Diet of nestlings appeared to consist of a higher prop ortion of insect larvae than that of older birds, which are reported t o eat mostly snails.