Iiwi, << ee EE vee, >> is one of a small group of birds called Hawaiian honeycreepers, which live only on the Hawaiian Islands. The iiwi has a bright red body, a black tail, and black wings with small patches of white. It grows about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Its long bill curves downward, enabling it to sip nectar from flowers, its main source of food.
The iiwi prefers to live in cool forests high in the mountains, remaining largely hidden from people. It has a sharp, squeaky call. Iiwi are solitary birds that generally gather only to look for food, mate, and help feed newborns. Females usually lay from one to three eggs. Iiwi have become threatened due to human activities, such as destruction of their forest habitat and the introduction of insect-borne diseases.
See also Hawaiian honeycreeper.
