Hawai’i is famous as a tropical paradise with incredible islands, beaches and vistas. It is also home to some of the rarest birds, not found anywhere else. In this post we look at some of the common and rare birds in Hawai’i and the surrounding seas.
The State of Hawaii
The Aloha State was the 50th state to join the United States and is situated over 2,000 miles to the west of California. It comprises of 132 islands, of which only seven are inhabited. All of the islands were made from volcanic action, which has resulted in some unusual beaches ranging from pristine golden to dark black sands.
Birds in Hawaii
As such an isolated string of islands, it is no surprise that Hawai’i is home to some unique birds. While it ranks last on the eBird ranking of all U.S. states and provinces with less than 300 reported species, those species are very special. There are real challenges, however, to the Hawaii bird population as invasive birds threaten every day to take over. In fact, 8 out of the first 10 reported reported birds on eBird, as I write this, are non-native introductions or feral birds.
But, let’s look at some of the birds that should be there, starting with the state bird, The Nene Goose.
Common Birds
Hawaiian or Nene Goose (Branta sandvicensis)
Identification
The Nene Goose is defined by its loose flaps circling the neck. These have a distinct cream color rising to the cheeks of a black head.
Size
- Height: 16 in (41 cm)
- Weight: 53-105 oz (1500-3000 g)
Range
The Nene Goose is present in Hawai’i all year round and can easily be found in any open park or area.
What you might not know
The Nene Goose is the world’s rarest with only a few thousand birds left in Hawai’i. There are no feral populations elsewhere and all other birds are captive.
ʻio Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius)
Identification
The Hawaiian Hawk is a robust, small hawk with varying morphs and relatively short, thick tail. Some birds are dark all over and others are pale underneath.
Size
- Length: 16-18 in -(40-46 cm)
- Weight: 15-21 oz (440-605 g)
Range
The Hawaiian Hawk is only found on the Big Island of Hawai’i and is the only bird of prey found there. It can be seen across the island, all year round.
What you might not know
The ʻio inhabits and breeds in the lush forests of Hawai’i mainly in ‘öhi’a trees. It appears to dislike non-native trees.
Sea Birds of Hawai’i
Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis)
Identification
The Laysan Albatross is white with dark coloring on top of the wing. The large bill is a muted pink.
Size
- Length: 31.1-31.9 in (79-81 cm)
- Weight: 77.6-151.7 oz (2200-4300 g)
- Wingspan: 76.8-79.9 in (195-203 cm)
Range
The Laysan Albatross breeds mainly on the Hawaiian Islands and can be seen all year round on, from and around the islands. Less sightings in the fall.
What you might not know
This albatross gets its name from the island of Laysan where it breeds.
White Tern (Gygis alba)
Identification
The White Tern is such an odd shape. The tubular body looks to me like a white sausage! It is white all over with a black-tipped royal blue bill. The tail is long and forked.
Size
- Wingspan: 30-34 in (76-87 cm)
Range
The White Tern is seen more frequently in the summer months but is present all year round across the islands and out into the ocean.
What you might not know
The White Tern’s nesting arrangements are very strange. They lay their eggs directly onto a branch with no protection whatsoever for the egg or the hatchling.
‘Ua‘u – Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis)
Identification
The ʻuaʻu is a large petrel with very dark plumage on the back and very pale coloring underneath.
Size
- Wingspan: 36 in (91 cm)
Range
The ʻuaʻu is a summer visitor to the Hawaiian Islands where it nests in the hills of several of the islands. Usually seen at dusk across the islands and ocean.
What you might not know
As was common in many Pacific Islands, these seabirds were a staple food. In Hawai’i the chicks were considered a particular delicacy.
ʻŌmaʻo (Myadestes obscurus)
Identification
The ʻŌmaʻo is a rather plain looking bird with gray and brown plumage.
Size
- No data
Range
The ʻŌmaʻo is found only on Hawai’i Island, on the eastern portion. It inhabits high elevation rainforest.
What you might not know
There are 4 endemic thrushes of Hawai’i and the ʻŌmaʻo is one. The others are the Kāmaʻo, the Olomaʻo, and the Puaiohi.
Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis)
Identification
This wee bird is a monarch flycatcher with plumage that is both cryptic and beautiful with browns, creams and black blending into each other. The wings and tail are short.
Size
- No data
Range
The Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio is a confiding bird found in forests of Hawai’i. It is present all year round.
What you might not know
There are 3 ‘elepaio species in the State of Hawai’i. Along with the Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio there are the Kauaʻi ʻelepaio (Chasiempis sclateri) and the Oʻahu ʻelepaio (Chasiempis ibidis).
The Honeycreeper Species of Bird
ʻApapane (Himatione sanguinea)
Identification
The ʻApapane is a honeycreeper with deep red plumage. It has dark wings tips and a relatively short, thick bill.
Size
- Length: 5.1 in (13 cm)
- Weight: 5.1-5.6 oz (14.4-16 g)
Range
The ʻApapane is resident on all the inhabited islands and can be seen all year round as it feasts high up in the canopy.
What you might not know
The bill and tongue of the ʻApapane are designed to take nectar from flowers. They will also eat insects from the leaves.
ʻIʻiwi (Drepanis coccinea)
Identification
This honeycreeper is another brilliant red color with a distinctive long, decurved pinkish bill. It has black wings.
Size
- No data
Range
The ʻIʻiwi is mostly reported on Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island. It is rarely seen on other islands. It inhabits rainforests at high elevation.
What you might not know
While the adults birds are a dazzling crimson, the juveniles are a blurred mix of orange, yellow and green.
Oʻahu ʻamakihi (Chlorodrepanis flava)
Identification
The Oahu Amakihi is a honeycreeper found in Oahu. The male is yellow and the female is a duller gray.
Size
- Length: 4 in (11 cm)
Range
The Oahu Amakihi is present all year round on Hononlulu and can be found in a range of habitats from parks to forests.
What you might not know
The unique bill of honeycreepers like the Oahu Amakihi means it is not only able to drink nectar but also dig out insects from underneath tree bark.
ʻAnianiau (Magumma parva)
Identification
The Anianiau is another honeycreeper with bright yellow plumage. This time, the decurved bill is very pale.
Size
- Length: 3.9 in (10 cm)
Range
The Anianiau is only found irregularly on the island of Kauai in higher elevation of the forests there.
What you might not know
The ʻAnianiau was first documented in 1830 but then disappeared for decades. It was not properly studied until the second half of the 20th century.
Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens)
Identification
The Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi male is a bright green color with the female slightly duller. It has the decurved bill common to honeyecreepers.
Size
- Length: 3.9 in (10 cm)
Range
The Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi is a common, all year resident in the forests on the main islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai Islands. It is rarely seen elsewhere.
What you might not know
While the staple food of the Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi is nectar, it has adapted to changing environments and will eat fruit and insects as well.
Kauaʻi ʻamakihi (Chlorodrepanis stejnegeri)
Identification
The Kauai Amakihi is another endemic yellow honeycreeper with a thicker and larger bill than its counterparts. The female is also a dull, grayer hue.
Size
- No data
Range
The Kauai Amakihi is only found on Kauai and is irregularly reported. It inhabits elevations over 3,000 feet in the rainforest.
What you might not know
This is the third amakihi on our list. It is incredible that the islands of Hawai’i have 3 such similar birds but each is considered a species in its own right.
Palila (Loxioides bailleui)
Identification
The Palila is a striking yellow-headed bird with a pale belly and gray back. It has a huge parrotbill.
Size
- Length: 6-7.5 in (15-19 cm)
- Weight: 1.3 oz (38 g)
Range
The Palila is a rare bird only found on Mauna Kea volcano on Hawaii Island where it inhabits forest at over 6,000 feet.
What you might not know
The Palila is critically endangered. It doesn’t move from native māmane stands that can be found it the high forest belt.
Hawaiʻi creeper (Loxops mana)
Identification
This honeycreeper has plain but still attractive olive green plumage with a short bill and black eye mask.
Size
- No data
Range
Only found on the island of Hawai’i, the Hawai’i creeper inhabits native forests at over 5,000 feet elevation.
What you might not know
The Hawai’i Creeper behaves in a manner similar to treecreepers. It scoots up trees, digging away looking for bugs.
Conclusion
The native birds of Hawai’i are undisputedly incredible. There are exotic looking species, plain birds and similar birds with different names. If you want a wide variety of wild birds, Hawai’i has got them. The backyard birds may be dominated by introduced and feral species but even they are remarkable. I have never seen a Red-crested Cardinal or Warbling White-eye! The bird of Hawaii might be low in number but they are high in quality.
Related Questions
Are there native animals on Hawai’i other than birds?
The only mammal on the islands of Hawai’i is the reclusive Hawaiian Hoary Bat. There are no native mammals.
What is the lifespan of the Laysan Albatross?
Like other albatross species, the Laysan is a late starter and only begins breeding when it is 8-9 years old. They live very long lives with the oldest banded bird found at 65 years of age.
How many native birds are there on Hawaii?
There are now around 50 native species of birds in Hawaii.