Straight-billed Gaper (Aidemedia chascax)
The Straight-billed Gaper, described in 1991 based on subfossil remains, is known only from the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Islands, where it lived sympatrically with another species of its genus, the Sickle-billed Gaper (Aidemedia zanclops James & Olson).
These two species differed mainly in the shape and size of their beaks, and it is assumed that they may represent males and females of a single, sexually dimorphic species. [1]
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References:
[1] S. L. Olson; H. F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part II. Passeriformes. Ornithological Monographs 45: 1-91. 1991
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edited: 22.03.2018
Tag Archives: Aidemedia
Aidemedia lutetiae James & Olson
Maui Nui Gaper (Aidemedia lutetiae)
This species was described in 1991 based on subfossil remains recovered from the Pu’u Makua- and Pu’u Naio Caves on the island of Maui, as well as from the Mo’omomi Dunes on Moloka’i.
The species reached an estimated size of about 19 cm, it differed from its closest relative/relatives Aidemedia chascax/zanclops James & Olson by its shorter, very straight bill. [1]
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The Maui Nui Gaper was very probably somewhat like a larger version of the so called Greater Amakihi (Viridonia sagittirostris Rotschild) from the island of Hawai’i.
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References:
[1] S. L. Olson; H. F. James: Descriptions of thirty-two new species of birds from the Hawaiian Islands: Part II. Passeriformes. Ornithological Monographs 45: 1-91. 1991
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edited: 24.09.2017