Symbolizing royalty in Hawaiian legend, the majestic 'Io measures between 16 to 18 inches long, with the females of the species being generally larger than their male counterparts. The bird has equal light and dark brown plumage colorations on its underwings, breast and head. Adult Hawaiian hawks have yellowish feet and legs while juveniles are more green in these areas.
While they have been sighted on Kauai, Oahu and Maui, Hawaiian hawks are known to only breed on the Big Island, nesting in the dense native forests. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the hawks inhabit a range of approximately 2,372 square miles on the island of Hawaii. The species mates for life and are territorial by nature. The females lay eggs between March and June, which hatch from May until July. Typically only one egg is laid at a time. Both sexes build the nest, but only the female incubates the egg while the male provides food for the female and its offspring.
The species enjoys a varied diet of native and introduced plants and animals and is versatile in its eating habits. Hawaiian hawks generally hunt from a perched stationary position but can also dive for prey from the air. The animals the hawks hunt for include including insects like praying mantis, caterpillars, worms, rodents and smaller birds. They also forage in the forest and orchards for nuts and fruits such as macadamia and papaya.
The nesting habitat of the Hawaiian hawk is under threat from human activity, including forest clearing for agriculture, residential development and logging. The illegal shooting of nesting birds and collisions with vehicles are also leading to the demise of the species. There has also been a drop in hawk numbers since the introduction of exotic plant species which are slowly over-running the native trees in which the 'Io prefers to nest. Conservation efforts underway include population surveys, habitat and nest protection projects.
