Extinct and Endangered Hawaiian Birds

A variety of dangers contribute to the loss of so many bird species in Hawaii. Large scale agriculture, land development, hunting, predation by introduced species (cats, rats, pigs, frogs, dogs) and mosquito borne illnesses such as avian malaria and pox to name a few. 95 of the 142 native bird species of Hawaii have already become extinct, including many species of honeycreepers including ʻakialoa, mamo, the Hemignathus obscurus, Hawaii OO oho Nobilis, Kauai oo which became extinct in 1987, as well as the Maui ‘Akepa in 1988.

Spotting some of the rarer endangered species in the wild is getting more difficult as the years go on. According to the Audubon Society, only 17 native forest bird species are left in the islands, down from more than 50 only a couple hundred years ago. Only 21 native songbirds remain, 11 of them are listed as endangered. Sadly, numbers like these have given Hawaii the title of bird extinction capital of the world. Thankfully each island has an endangered wildlife refuge, offering a safe haven for native and non native species alike.

On the northern tip of Oahu, the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge was established for endangered species including the Hawaiian monk seal, Hawaiian Coot and the Black-necked Stilt. This refuge contains one of the largest concentrations of wetland birds in Hawaii. Other birds that you may be lucky to glimpse are the Black-crowned Night-Heron, Hawaiian common moorhen, Pacific Golden-Plover, Wandering Tattler, and Bristle-thighed Curlew. The hills above Honolulu are a reliable spot to catch a glimpse of Oahu’s only native honeycreeper – the Oahu Amakihi, not yet endangered but recently added to the vulnerable list. The coastal valleys of Oahu are home to the endangered Oahu Elepaio. Many hikers report bold and curious behavior from this small flycatcher.

When visiting Maui, be sure to visit Kealia Pond National wildlife refuge. A salt marsh along the south-central coast of Maui, between the towns of Kihei and Māalaea. This is a great spot for birdwatching and admiring Maui’s natural splendor. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquired the site as habitat for endangered birds like the Hawaiian Coot and Black-necked Stilt. Many other birds can be spotted as well, including but not limited to, the Black Crowned Night Heron, Hawaiian Duck hybrids, Pacific Golden Plover & the White faced Ibis. Nearby, Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary features a fishpond that hosts many of the same species as at Kealia. Hosmer Grove in Haleakala National park is home to some of the rarest birds on earth, including several of the elusive Hawaiian creepers such as Scarlet Apapane, I’iwi and Ove Green Amakihi. A few sightings of endangered Akohekohe have been reported here as well.

On the garden island of Kauai, Koke’e State Park is known to be one of the best birding sites on the island, if not all of the islands. Bird watchers have reported sightings of the extremely rare Akekee, Akikiki and Ppuaiohi. Nene also frequents the park along with Kauai Elepaio, Apapane, Iiwi,& Kauai Amakihi. Even catching a sighting of the increasingly scarce Anianiau is still a possibility at Koke’e State Park.

The Big Island of Hawaii may have the best bird watching of all the islands. Birders the world over come to the Big Island hoping to see three Hawaiian birds in particular: the Akiapolaau – a rare bright yellow honeycreeper, the Nukupuu – an even rarer species of the honeycreeper,and the Alala – the hawaiian crow which was once considered extinct in the wild but has currently been brought back with successful captive breeding programs.

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern slope of Mauna Kea was established solely for forest bird management. It was the first National Wildlife refuge in the country. This forest is a remarkable refuge for not only native birds but plants and animals as well. Regular sightings of the Omao, Hawaiian Elepaio, Apapane, Iiwi, Akiapolaau, Hawaii Creeper and the rich orange Akepa are reported here. Due to its sensitive nature and population of highly endangered species, access to this park is limited. Best to arrange a visit in advance.

Volcano National Park is home to a variety of threatened or endangered endemic birds. This park is an excellent place to spot the Io, the only hawk species native to Hawaii. The Io can often be spotted circling along Mauna Loa Road and above Kilauea’s summit. These Hawaiian Hawks were once on the endangered list but were recently down-listed due to its rising populations on the Big Island. Kipuka Puaulu (Bird Park ) Trail is an old growth, fern-rich trail that is home to some of the rarest plants and animals in Hawaii. Access to this trail is on Mauna Loa Road, its 1.2 mile loop is accessible year round and is good for all hiking skill levels. The Pu’u Pua’i overlook is another popular birding site and you can take Devastation Trail, a 1 mile easy round trip. The endangered Palila are now restricted to an area of forest on the southwestern slope of Mauna Kea.

Thirty-three of the remaining 44 native birds of Hawaii are protected under the Endangered Species Act, with 11 of them having not been seen in decades and being presumed extinct.
The most recent to species to go extinct is the Poouli, a honeycreeper, other species recently declared extinct include:

• Kauai Akialoa, a honeycreeper native to Kauai, extinct as a result of habitat loss and introduced disease
• Kauai Nukupuu, a honeycreeper native to Kauai, medium sized stout bird that had a down curved “heterobill”
• Large Kauai Thrush – once Kauai’s most abundant bird, wiped out by Hurricane Iniki in 1992
• Maui Akepa – once a common bird on Maui, pushed to extinction due to habitat loss and mosquito borne illness
• Maui Nukupuu – Species of honeycreeper native to Maui
• Molokai Creeper (Kakawahie)- small red creeper, native to Molokai

Native/Endemic birds that are listed as endangered are:

• The Akikiki, Kauai creeper – critically endangered native to Kauai
• I’iwi – scarlet honeycreeper. Bright red “symbol of hawaii” Only found in high elevation forests
• Kiwikiu – Maui parrotbill, native to Maui, only found on the windward slopes of Haleakala
• Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) seabird only found in hawaii. Endangered. Nest in burrows, cats and predators threaten it. Have a distinct moaning call
• Hawaiian Elepaio (Chasiempsis sandwichensis) is an endangered native elepaio species. Lives in the forest and can be challenging to spot as it has excellent camouflage
• Palila (Loxodes Baillieu) endangered honeycreeper. Large bulbous bill found in the dry mountains of Mauna Kea only
• Akiapolaau – woodpecker type with war club head
• Nukupuu – elusive little yellow bird with curved beak
• Alala – critically endangered Hawaiian crow
• Nene – State Bird, small goose. Populations on all islands
• Koloa, Hawaiian Duck
• Hawaiian Coot
• Hawaiian Gallinule

Extinct Hawaiian bird species include:

• Hawaiʻi ʻakialoa Hemignathus obscurus
• Hawaii Mamo Drepanis Pacifica
• Hawaii OO oho Nobilis