One of the things that most people recognize about this bird is its whitish gold colored feather crest on its head.

The ʻākohekohe is a nectarivore that feeds on the flowers of ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) high up in the canopy.

When ʻōhiʻa lehua blossoms are limited, it will eat insects, fruit, and nectar from other plants.

During a search for the species in the east Maui forests, there were a record of 415 observations over an area of 11,000 acres (45 km2) and at elevations from 4,200 to 7,100 feet (1,300 to 2,200 m) above sea level.

It was thought to be extinct after that—however, in 1945 a small population was discovered in the National Area Reserve on Haleakalā in Maui.

The Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans) was also introduced to the islands at this time, which was a significant component of habitat loss and species decline.

Another factor that lead to the decline of the ʻākohekohe was its unusual appearance, which made it desirable to collectors.

It was also a part of many other documents including the Maui-Molokai Forest Bird Recovery Plan in 1967, by the Fish and Wildlife Service.