It became extinct due to habitat loss, mosquitoes, introduced predators such as the small Indian mongoose, and overcollecting.

[5] This shy species lived in the forest canopy and fed particularly on nectar of lobelioids from the tree-plant's curved, tubular flowers.

The mamo was said to favor feed on the hāhā plant,[4][7] encompassing Cyanea and Clermontia spp.

The famous yellow cloak of Kamehameha I is estimated to have taken the reigns of eight monarchs and the golden feathers of 80,000 birds to complete.

[21][24] The native feather-hunters (poe kawili) had developed (at the behest of King Kamehameha[22][15]) the practice of sparing and releasing any birdlime-caught birds with only a few (yellow) feathers to be harvested, namely the ʻōʻō and the mamo.

European settlers changed the mamo's habitat to support agriculture and cattle ranching, which damaged the bird's food source.

This bird has been reported as tame and unafraid when captured;[20] Palmer's specimen fed on "sugar and water eagerly", and would stay perched on a twig in the tent.