This honeycreeper is not a parrot at all, getting its common name from its parrot-like bill and its origin on the island of Maui. It is a stocky bird with a big head and a short tail. The head, back and wings are olive-green and the underside is yellow. The lower bill is yellowish-pink, and the top part of the bill is black. This dark colouration extends as a stripe through the eye. Above, a bold yellow streak runs across the head (2). Females are duller in colour (2) and smaller than males (3). Juveniles have white undersides and less vivid back colouration (3).
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