The manumea is found only on the islands of Upolu and Savai'i in Samoa. Because the forests it lives in have shrunk over the years, the manumea has become extremely rare. Scientists think there are very few left, making it one of the most endangered birds in the Pacific.
The bird's hooked beak is specially shaped for cracking open very hard seeds and fruits that other birds cannot eat. This gives the manumea its own special food source that it does not have to share! It is a shy bird that spends most of its time up in the tall trees of undisturbed forest, which is why it is so rarely seen.
In Samoan, 'manu' means 'bird' and 'mea' means 'red or precious thing' - so the manumea is the precious bird. Conservation groups and Samoan schoolchildren are working together on projects to record sightings and protect the forest where the manumea lives. Every reported sighting is treated as wonderful news.