One of the largest of Hawaiʻi’s forest birds at 6-inches in length, the palila is unmistakable with its bright yellow head and gray back with light gray belly. They are found only on the southwest slopes of Mauna Kea where they feed almost exclusively on immature green mamane bean pods. These pods are extremely toxic, killing any other bird in a matter of minutes, yet the palila eat 200-300 pods a day. Listen for their distinctive clear call note as an up-slurred two or three syllable whistle.

The map below shows hotspots along our birding trails where you might see this bird. Learn more by visiting our species profile page for palila.