They are the most abundant and widely distributed honeycreeper and are found on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Maui, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu.

[3] ʻApapane commonly forage in the canopies of ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees, drinking nectar from the flowers and serving as important pollinators.

[3] Adult ʻapapane are overall bright crimson, with distinct white undertail-coverts and lower abdomen feathers.

They are known to sing at a perch for 10-30 second intervals, and their song may include repeated squeaks, whistles, rasps, melodic trills, and clicking sounds.

[5] ʻApapane also glean insects and spiders from leaves and small twigs in the canopy; they do not forage on the ground.

In 1953, a study of 63 'apapane found that 87% of them had butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) in their stomachs; 75% had eaten hoppers (Homoptera); 60% ate lacewing larvae (Neuroptera); and 43% had recently consumed spiders (Arachnida).

[3] ʻApapane are found in native mesic and wet forests dominated by ʻōhiʻa and koa trees.

Their range is extensive and their densities change as they undergo frequent temporal and seasonal migrations in search of flowering ʻōhiʻa.

The species is also threatened by non-native mammalian predators such as Small Indian mongooses, rats, and feral cats.

[12] Their high infection prevalence may be the result of their seasonal migrations to lower elevation forests putting individuals in contact with mosquitoes, particularly the introduced southern house mosquito, the primary vector of avian malaria, which are less common at higher elevations.

Conservation groups are diligently working to reduce the risk of spreading a fungal disease called Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD).