Forests that ‘Alalā once called home have been changed by human activities. Development, agriculture, and ranching have impacted native Hawaiian forests through logging and the introduction of cattle, sheep, and pigs that consume and destroy understory plants.
The loss of trees and forest understory has diminished ‘alalā food resources and limited cover to hide from predators.
Disease
Toxoplasmosis, transmitted by feral cats and rats, is fatal to ʻalalā. What is toxoplasmosis and how does it harm ʻAlalā? Click here to find out.
Like other native forest birds, ‘alalā can get sick from avian malaria carried by mosquitoes – but it is not fatal to them. Pox virus, transmitted by mosquitoes or through contact, can cause debilitating lesions.
Mosquitoes were once only a problem at low elevations where warm conditions allow them to breed and survive. As our climate warms, disease-carrying mosquitoes are now being found at higher elevations, causing further harm to native forest birds. Learn about avian malaria and the efforts to control mosquitoes in Hawaiʻi by clicking here.
Predators
Introduced/non-native feral cats, mongooses, and rats eat ʻalalā eggs and chicks.
