‘Io

‘Io (ee-oh), the Hawaiian hawk, is the only hawk native to the Hawaiian islands. Fossil evidence shows it once inhabited Hawaii (Big Island), O’ahu, and Kauai. Today it only breeds on the Big Island. It is protected as an endangered species. It measures 16-18 inches. The females on average, are larger than the males. Threats to the ‘Io are illegal shootings, habitat destruction, poisoning, vehicle collision, and predation from other animals. It has a shrill, high-pitched call that sounds like its name (eeeee-oh). It’s an opportunistic predator, feeding on rats, small birds including the Hawaiian crow, stream animals, insects, and lizards.

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