Kim's Creature Feature
Hawaii's unique creatures by Cindy Pacheco
Red Billed Leiothrix June 2009
- Scientific Name: Leiothrix lutea
- Endemic to: Asia
The Red Billed Leiothrix, also known as the Japanese Hill Robin, was introduced to Hawaii in the early 1900’s from the US mainland and Asia as a cage bird. Found mainly in wet forests, their diet consists primarily of fruits and invertebrates.
True to the “Babbler” name, they have a loud and melodious warble . They are known to be elusive to spot, but “vocally conspicuous” as they actively forage in the understory.
The Red Billed Leiothrix are easy to identify by their bright red bill, yellow throats & chests and orange/yellow edged wings.
