A white eye ring is also fairly prominent and helps distinguish this bird from the other Hawaiian thrushes.

Puaiohi are restricted to the center and southern parts of the Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

[5] Seventy-five percent of the breeding population occurs in only 10 square kilometres (3.9 sq mi) of forest.

[6] Important food sources include fruits of the native ʻolapa (Cheirodendron trigynum), lapalapa (C. platyphyllum), ʻōhiʻa ha (Syzygium sandwicensis) and kanawao (Broussaisia arguta).

[7] The song is varied, consisting of a simple trill to a complex wheezing, and high-pitched squeal described as a squeaking rather resembling a metal wheel needing lubrication.

Feral pigs and goats also negatively affect populations of birds by degrading habitat, as has competition from many invasive plants and animals.