The Tragic Silence of the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō Bird: A Symbol of Extinction In 1986, a haunting melody echoed from the tallest tree on the island of Kauai. It was the call of the last known Kauaʻi ʻōʻō bird, a male singing in vain for a mate who would never come. This poignant moment marked the end of a species, a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the impact of human activity on the natural world. That same year, a Hawaii native managed to record the bird’s final song, preserving its vo