Hawaii's forest bird community is the most insular and most endangered in the world and serves as a case study for threatened species globally. Ten have disappeared in the past thirty years, nine are critically endangered, and even common species are currently in decline. Thane K. Pratt, his coeditors, and collaborators, all leaders in their field, describe the research and conservation efforts over the past thirty years to save Hawaii's forest birds. They also offer the most comprehensive look at the reasons for these extinctions and attempts to overcome them in the future.

Among the topics covered in this book are trends in bird populations, environmental and genetic factors limiting population size, avian diseases, predators, and competing alien bird species. Color plates by award-winning local photographer Jack Jeffrey illustrate all living species discussed or described.

Thane K. Pratt is a wildlife biologist, Carter T. Atkinson is a microbiologist, Paul C. Banko is a research wildlife biologist, and James D. Jacobi is a biologist, all at the U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystem Research Center. Bethany Woodworth is an instructor of Environmental Studies at University of New England.