Extinct

Though different species of `o`o were found on Kaua`i, O`ahu, and Maui/Moloka`I, the Hawai`i Island species was the most prized, as its yellow feathers were used for the beautiful cloaks worn by the royalty.

Some accounts tell of the birds being released back into the wild after having the tufts of yellow feathers plucked, but the `o`o was also known to be a tasty delicacy. Despite being hunted for feathers and food by the Hawaiians, the `o`o was apparently a common bird until the time of European contact. It is guessed that habitat destruction and introduced diseases hastened its decline.

The last sighting of the Hawai`i `o`o was around the 1920's, and it is presumed to be extinct. The last O`ahu `o`o (Moho apicalis) was seen in 1837, and is presumed extinct. Though there was a possible sighting of a Bishop's `o`o (Moho bishopi) in 1981, none have been seen since then, and it is probably extinct. A single Kaua`i `o`o was last spotted in 1966, building a nest and calling for a mate. If any Kaua`i `o`o still exist, the are exceedingly rare, and are probably extinct .

The four `o`o species and the kioea (Chaetoptila angustipluma) belonged to the Honeyeater family (Meliphagidae), which contain some 160 species throughout the Pacific. Honeyeaters subsist primarily on the nectar of flowers, which they gather using their unusual brush-tipped tongues. Sadly, all of the Hawaiian honeyeaters are either definitely or probably extinct.