The ʻōmaʻo is one of only two remaining species of native thrush (the other being the endangered puaiohi of Kauaʻi) that were once common throughout Hawaiʻi. They eat fruit and play a role in spreading native plants throughout the forest. Mysteriously, they have not been seen in the Kona and Kohala areas of Hawaiʻi Island for over a century, possibly due to an early virus or disease. Normally preferring native forest, there seems to be a distinct population in the subalpine zone of Mauna Loa.