HA W AI’I 2009

O’ahu, Kaua’i, and the Big Island of Hawai’i

March 14, 2009 to March 24, 2009

Species accounts and all photographs by

Phil Davis, Davidsonville, MD

Guided by
George Armistead and John Coons
Field Guides, Incorporated

BIRDS

Diomedeidae
Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis)
Many were seen on Kaua’i at Kilauea Point NWR on 3/16 both on the ground, contemplating
nesting, and in close flybys. Also seen on the ground at point blank range on 3/17 at Princeville
where they nest among the houses!

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Procellariidae
Wedge-T ailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus)
Approximately 100
“wedgies” were seen on
our pelagic trip off the
south side of Kaua’i.
Nest burrows were seen
at close range at Kilauea
NWR on 3/16 but no
birds were detected (they
feed out at sea during the
daytime.)

Sooty Shearwater
(Puffinus griseus)
Several were seen on our
Kaua’i pelagic on 3/17.
Others were seen by a
few of our group from
the end of the Chain of
Craters Road on the Big Island on 3/21.

Christmas Shearwater (Puffinus nativitatis)

At least one bird was seen
well in flight and on the
water during our pelagic.
First spotted by David
Kuhn.
Identification: a medium-
sized, dark-brown
shearwater with a short,
wedge-shaped tail and a
shiny, black bill. Adult
males and females are
entirely dark brown,
although underparts are
lighter than upperparts.
Flight is characterized by
fast, stiff wing beats,
followed by long glides.
Abundance: In Hawai‘i,
breeding colonies estimated
at less than 3,000 pairs.
Worldwide population
unknown but likely less
than 10,000 breeding pairs.

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Phaethontidae
Red-T ailed T ropicbird(Phaethon rubricauda)
Seen well in flight off of and over the east coast of O’ahu and on Kaua’i at Kilauea NWR flying
about the seabird colony.

White-Tailed Tropicbird(Phaethon lepturus)

A few were seen on Kaua’i at Kilauea NWR on 3/16 and seen far below us in Waimea Canyon
from the overlooks on 3/17 and 3/18. Also seen at sea on our Kaua’i pelagic on 3/17.

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Sulidae
Red-footed Booby (Sula sula)
Seen off the east coast on O’ahu on 3/15. Large
number were present at the Kaua’i breeding colony
at Kilauea NWR on 3/16 and on our pelagic on
3/17. At Kilauea, a single dark morph bird was seen
flying into the colony of exclusively white morph
birds.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)

Fewer numbers were seen among the Red-footed
Boobies at the same O’ahu and Kaua’i locations on
3/15-17.

Fregatidae
Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor)
Several birds were seen in flight off the east coast of
O’ahu on 3/15 and very close flybys were seen Kilauea
Point NWR on 3/16.

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Ardeidae
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
[Introduced from Florida in 1959 to
control pests.] Ubiquitous on O’ahu
and Kaua’i on 3/15-19. Only one was
seen on the Big Island at the Hilo
Pond on 3/20.

Black-Crowned Night-Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
Seen in appropriate habitat on all
three islands.

Anatidae
Hawaiian Goose [Nene] (Branta sandvicensis)
[Endemic/Endangered] Seen on Kaua’i and the Big Island, in
appropriate habitat, including at close range on the ground and
in flight at Kilauea NWR on 3/17 and at Hanalei NWR on
3/17. Present in numbers on the Big Island at the Hilo Pond
on 3/20 and at the Big Island Golf Course on 3/23.
Population: In the mid 1900's there were less than 30 Nene in
Hawai’i. Before the arrival of Capt. Cook, there were an
estimated 25,000 in the islands. Now, there are approximately 2,000 in the state of Hawai’i.

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Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Several on the Big Island at the Hilo pond on 3/20. [Ssp. ?]

“Aleutian” Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia)

One present at the Salt Pond Park on Kaua’i on 3/16 and on the Big Island at the Kona Sewage
Ponds on 3/23.

“Black” Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)

[Phil and Barbara found a single bird on the Big Island at Aimakapa Pond after the tour on 3/25.]

American Wigeon (Anas americana)

A pair was seen on the Big Island at the Kona Sewage Ponds on 3/23.

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

A pair was seen on the Big Island at the Kona Sewage Ponds on 3/23.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Seen on local ponds on O’ahu on 3/16 and on the Big Island ponds on 3/20. None were seen on
Kaua’i.

Hawaiian Duck [Koloa] (Anas

wyvilliana)
[Endemic/Endangered] Several
were seen at Hanalei NWR
marsh on Kaua’i.
Identification: Mallard female
is much larger, with white rather
than buff outer tail feathers and
blue-purple speculum. Hybrid
Mallard x Hawaiian Duck can
have any combination of
parental characters, but usually
larger than pure birds.
Population: Once an inhabitant
of most of the main Hawaiian
Islands but now restricted to
Kaua`i and Ni`ihau, and is
reintroduced on O`ahu, Hawai`i
and Maui. Population estimated
to number 2,200. Some of the
birds on O`ahu that resemble A. wyvilliana are pure birds; however, most are hybrids.

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Seen on O’ahu on 3/16 and on a pond on the Big Island on 3/23.

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Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
[Phil and Barbara saw four birds on the Big Island in the Aimakapa Pond on 3/25 after the tour.]

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

[Phil and Barbara saw four birds on the Big Island in the Aimakapa Pond on 3/25 after the tour.]

Accipitridae
Hawaiian Hawk [‘Io] (Buteo solitarius)
[Endemic/Endangered] Three birds were seen flying over the road during our trip from Hilo to
V olcano on 3/20. Some saw another fly in and land near the banding hut at Hakalau NWR on the
Big Island on 3/22. [Phil and Barbara also saw another one flying overhead on their trip from
Kona to South Point on the Big Island on 3/24, after the tour ended.]
Population: This species is endemic to the island of Hawai'i, although vagrants occasionally
wander to Maui, O'ahu, and Kaua'i. Population estimates for Hawaiian Hawk range from 1,600
to 2,700 individuals.

Meleagridae
Wild T urkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
[First introduced from North America in 1815] Seen along Saddle Road on the Big Island and at
higher elevations on 3/22-23. [Phil and Barbara also saw a number of birds around Wiamea on
the Big Island on 3/25 after the tour ended.]

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Odontophoridae
California Quail (Callipepla californica)
[Introduced from the Western US before 1855.] Seen along Saddle Road on the Big Island and at
higher elevations on 3/22-23.

Phasianidae
Chukar (Alectoris chukar)
[Native to Europe and Asia. First introduced in 1923] Seen along Saddle Road on the Big Island
on 3/22.

Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus)

[Introduced from India in 1959.] Single birds were
seen along Saddle Road on 3/22 and at the Big Island
County Club on 3/23. [Phil and Barbara also saw
several on 3/25, after the tour ended, on the Big
Island around Waimea and the Parker Ranch HQ.]

Gray Francolin (Francolinus

pondicerianus)
[Introduced from Africa in 1957.] [Not
seen during the tour; however, Phil and
Barbara saw several birds on the Big Island
near Wiamea at the Landfill and near the
Parker Ranch HQ on 3/25.]

Erckel's Francolin (Francolinus erckelii)

[Introduced from India in 1958.] Seen along the road up above
Wiamea Canyon on Kaua’i on 3/18 and again in the same area on
3/19. Also seen along the road to Hakalau NWR on 3/22 and at the
Big Island County Club on the Big Island on 3/24 [and again on
3/25 at the later location by Phil and Barbara after the tour ended.]

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Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus)
[The Red
Junglefowl is
Hawai’i's first
introduced
species.
Colonizing
Polynesians
brought it to
Hawai’i over 700
years ago.] We did
not count the
hybrids seen all
over the Kaua’i
lowlands’
however, the ones
seen at Kōke’e
State Park are
considered to be
“purebreds,”
(especially the
ones with darker
legs and fewer
white feathers).
Some non-
countable birds
were also seen on
the Big Island lowlands.

Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)

[Introduced from Southeast Asia in 1962.] A cooperative bird was seen along the road in the
Hawai‘i V olcanoes National Park on the Big Island on 3/16. A second bird was seen by Phil on
3/17 near our lodge at V olcano on the next morning.

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Ring-Necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
[Introduced from Asia in 1865.] Seen only on the Big Island on 3/22 and 3/23 along Saddle Road
and the road up to Hakalau NWR.

Rallidae
Common Moorhen ['Alae 'Ula] (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis) [subspecies also called
“Hawaiian Gallinule”] [Endemic/Endangered Subspecies] Only one bird was seen on Kauai at
Hanalei NWR from the road above and at a distance.
Identification: The frontal shield appears slightly larger and extends higher up the forehead than
on the mainland form; front of tarsi reddish.Abundance: Island-wide population, based on
semiannual waterbird counts suggests that the population is increasing, but count numbers are
variable. Between 1993 and 2003, the average annual number counted has been just under 300
individuals.

Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai)

[Endemic/Endangered]
Observed on O’ahu at
Kuhuku Golf Course on
3/15; at Hanalei NWR on
Kaua’i on 3/17; and on
the Big Island at the Big
Island County Club and at
the Kona Sewage Ponds
on 3/23. [Phil and Barbara
saw them again on the
Big Island on 3/25, after
the tour at the same
Country Club and at the
Aimakapa Pond.]
Identification: V ery
similar to the American
Coot (F . americana), but
is slightly smaller in size
and has a larger, more
bulbous white frontal
shield. Abundance: The
population is stable and is
estimated at between
2,000 and 4,000
individuals. T axonomy:
Split from American Coot
by the AOU in 1993.

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Recurvirostridae
Black-Necked Stilt (Himantopus
mexicanus knudseni) [subspecies also called
"Hawaiian Stilt”]
[Endemic/Endangered Subspecies] Seen on
all three islands: on O’ahu on 3/15, on
Kauai’i 3/17 at Hanalei NWR. On the Big
Island, many more were seen at the Kona
Sewage Ponds on 3/23 and on 3/24 when a
flock flew over our hotel. [Phil and Barbara
also saw more at the Aimakapa Pond on the
Big Island on 3/25 after the tour ended.]
Identification: The Hawaiian subspecies
differs from the North American subspecies
by having more black on its face and neck,
and longer bill, tarsus, and tail.
Abundance: Between 1993 and 2003, the
average annual number counted has been
approximately 1,300 individuals; in 2001 an
average of 2,680 individuals was recorded.
Taxonomy: The Hawaiian Stilt is currently
regarded as a subspecies of the Black-
necked Stilt but evidence suggests that it
may be better considered a full species. Stay
tuned …

Charadriidae
Pacific Golden-Plover [Kolea]
(Pluvialis fulva)
V ery common on all island in
appropriate habitat, everyday.

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Scolopacidae
Bristle-Thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis)
Seen cooperatively and at close range in the cemetery from the Kahuku Golf Course on O’ahu on
3/15.

Wandering T attler(Heterosceles incanus)

Seen at the Salt Pond Park on Kaua’i on 3/16 and at the
Kona Sewage Pond on the Big Island on 3/23. Also seen
in the lagoon at our hotel on the Big Island on 3/23 and
3/24.

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Ruddy T urnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
A few were seen on
all three islands; on
O’ahu on 3/15, at the
Salt Pond Park on
Kaua’i on 3/16, and at
the Kona Sewage
Ponds on the Big
Island on 3/23. Also
seen in the lagoon at
our hotel on the Big
Island on 3/23 and
3/24 [and here on
3/25 by Phil and
Barbara after the tour
ended.]

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

A few were seen at the Salt Pond Park on Kaua’i on 3/16, and at the Kona Sewage Ponds on the
Big Island on 3/23. Also seen in the lagoon at our hotel on the Big Island on 3/23 and 3/24. [Phil
and Barbara had several on the beach near the Aimakapa Pond on the Big Island 3/25 after the
tour ended.]

Sternidae
Gray-Backed T ern (Sterna lunata)
At least one was seen very well by all on our Kaua’i pelagic on 3/17.
Identification: Similar to Sooty Terns, except back, wings, and tail feathers gray. Head and eye-
stripe are black. White forehead extends further back behind the eye than the sooty tern.
Abundance: Worldwide breeding-population size is unknown, but possibly on the order of
70,000 breeding pairs. In Hawai‘i, population is estimated at 44,000 breeding pairs in Nihoa and
other Northwest Islands.

Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata)

Distant views of the huge colony on
Manana Island Seabird Sanctuary off
O’ahu on 3/15. Also, close views from
the boat on our Kaua’i pelagic on
3/17.

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Black Noddy
(Anous minutus)
Several birds were
seen from the boat
on our 3/17 Kaua’i
pelagic. On 3/21,
we saw many birds
around the cliffs and
over the ocean at
the end of the Chain
of Craters Road in
Hawai‘i V olcanoes
National Park. [Phil
and Barbara saw
more over the water
at South Point on
3/25 after the tour
ended.]
Identification:
Birds in
Northwestern
Hawaiian Islands
differ from those in
main, southeastern
islands in plumage
color, leg and foot
color, and size.
Treated as “dark
phase”
(northwestern form)
and “light phase”
(southeastern form)
color morphs of
subspecies A. m.
melanogenys by some authors. Northwestern birds slightly darker overall, with dark gray tail;
paler gray tail of southeastern birds contrasts conspicuously with dark back. Legs and feet of
southeastern adults usually bright orange (dusky orange to orange-yellow), unlike the mostly
darker legs and feet of all other subspecies. Northwestern birds significantly larger than
southeastern birds in wing, culmen, and middle toe.Abundance: In Hawai‘i, population
estimated at 12,000 breeding pairs with the largest populations occurring on Midway Atoll and
Nihoa. T axonomy: Seven subspecies recognized. Two distinct forms breed in Hawaiian Is.:
Unpublished data indicate that northwestern form closely resemblesA. m. marcusi of nearby nw.
Pacific in plumage color, leg and foot color, and size. Therefore, northwestern form is probably
referable to subspecies A. m. marcusi, with subspecies name A. m. melanogenys thus restricted to
southeastern form.

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Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus)
A few were picked out from the Sooty Terns at the Manana Island Seabird Sanctuary off O’ahu
on 3/15. Approximately 35 birds were also observed from the boat on our 3/17 pelagic off
Kaua’i.

White Tern (Gygis alba)

Seen flying over Kapiolani Park, in front of our O’ahu hotel, on 3/15. [Phil and Barbara also
found several sitting in the Ironwood trees in the park on 3/13, before the tour started.]
Population: Approximately 600 breeding pairs exist on Oahu's south shore.

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Columbidae
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
[First introduced in 1796.] Common on
O’ahu and especially around Honolulu
(especially, the white morph variety). Seen
daily in Kaua’i and on the Big Island only
around Hilo on 3/20.

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

[Introduced from Asia in the mid-1800s.]
See daily on all islands.

Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)

[Introduced from Asia in 1922] See daily on all
islands.

Psittacidae
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula
krameri)
[Found naturally in Northeastern and
north-central Africa, Pakistan, India,
Sri Lanka, Nepal to central Burma.
Established on Oahu in the early
1970's after several birds escaped
from captivity.] Seen on O’ahu in the
St. Louis area of Honolulu on our
way up to Wa'ahila Ridge State
Recreation Area on 3/15. Also, seen
in Kapiolani Park and in front of the
Aquarium. [Phil and Barbara found
an active nest cavity in Kapiolani
Park on 3/13 before the tour started.]

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Strigidae
Short-Eared Owl [Pueo] (Asio flammeus sandvicensis)
[Endemic subspecies] One or more birds were seen along Saddle Road on the Big Island on 3/22
and 3/23. Another bird was seen flying near the Mamane-Naio forest on the Big Island on 3/23.
Population: Unknown. Pueo were widespread at the end of the 19th century, but are thought to
be declining.

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Alaudidae
Sky Lark (Alauda arvensis)
[Introduced from England in 1865
and via New Zealand in 1870] Fairly
common on the Big Island along
Saddle Road on 3/23 and 3/24. [Phil
and Barbara also found them on the
Big Island around South Point on
3/24 and north near Wiamea on 3/25,
after the tour ended.]
Population: Population of at least
~10,000 is estimated on the Big
Island.
T axonomy: V arious authorities
recognize 7–16 subspecies,
worldwide. Wide range of individual
variation makes subspecific
diagnosis difficult without
comparative series. Characters that are used to differentiate subspecies include wing length,
plumage coloration, thickness and taper of bill, length of hind claw, crest profile, length of
secondaries and tertials, and comparative lengths of primaries. Two subspecies known for North
America; the nominate European subspeciesA. a. arvensis, probably comprises the bulk of the
Hawaiian population [PCD]. A. a. japonica reportedly was introduced once in Hawai’i in 1934.
Specimens identified as thepekinensis race from extreme e. Asia have been collected from the
Pribilof Is. and Hawaiian Is.

Red-Vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)

[First appeared on O’hau in the mid-1950s as an
unauthorized cage release.] Common throughout
O’ahu on 3/15.

Mimidae
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
[Introduced from North America to O’hau in
1958.] Only seen by us on Kauai’i on 3/15 and
again by a few of our group on 3/17.

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T urdidae
‘Oma’o (Myadestes obscurus)
[Endemic] Seen on the Big Island around the
Lava Tubes in Hawai‘i V olcanoes National Park
on 3/20 and at Hakalau NWR on 3/22.
Population: Estimated at 170.000.

Puaiohi [Kaua’i Thrush] (Myadestes palmeri)

[Endemic/Endangered] Seen for the first time on
this tour! The Hawaiian Island's most
endangered bird. Seen on 3/19 in the Alaka’i
Wilderness on Kaua’i.
Population: On the basis of recent data, the current population is conservatively estimated at
more than 200 individuals.

Sylviidae
Japanese Bush-Warbler (Cettia diphone)
[Introduced from Japan to O’hau in 1929.] On Kaua’i only; heard on 3/18; seen on 3/19 along
Ha’iku Road.

Muscicapidae
White-Rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)
[Intentionally introduced to Kaua’i from Malaysia in 1931 and released on O’hau in 1940.] We
saw it on O’ahu on 3/15 at the Wa'ahila Ridge State Recreation Area and on Kaua’i at various
locations on 3/17-19.

Monarchidae
General ‘Elepaio Identification:
BNA Online: “Geographic V ariation: Considerable plumage variation among islands, with more
subtle differences within the Big Island. On the Big Island, dark brown above; white below, with
variable amount of brown streaking; rufous or white in eyebrow and auriculars. Males have
mostly black throat, females mostly white throat. At high elevations on w. Mauna Kea, more
white on head, darker gray brown above, less streaked below. On O‘ahu I., brown above; white
below, with light brown streaks on upper breast; lores white; auriculars dark. Males usually have
more black on throat than females, but some overlap. Plumage dullest on Kaua‘i: Sexes alike;
grayish above; white below, with orange brown wash on breast. Birds larger in wing and mass on
Hawai‘i I. than on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i Is., but birds on O‘ahu have larger bill.”

General ‘Elepaio T axonomy:

BNA Online: “Taxonomy of ‘Elepaio has changed repeatedly, with considerable disagreement
and confusion about number of taxa and their distribution caused by variation in plumage among
and within islands, distinct subadult plumages in both sexes that differ among islands, and
differences among islands in degree of sexual dimorphism. Taxa on each island were formerly

Page 19 of 34
considered separate species, and as many as 5 species have been recognized, sometimes without
regard to island of origin. Several forms were incorrectly described from immature birds and are
not valid. All forms were combined into 1 species by Bryan and Greenway, with former species
regarded as subspecies. Systematic investigation of genetic, morphological, and vocal variation
has begun and will help assess whether taxa on each island should be regarded as distinct
species, as well as extent of variation within Hawai‘i Island populations.”

V anderwerf (2007): “The 'Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) is a monarch flycatcher

(Monarchidae) endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. 'Elepaio occur on the islands of Kaua'i, O'ahu,
and Hawai'i, but are absent on the four islands (Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, and Kaho'olawe) in the
center of the Hawaiian Archipelago. 'Elepaio have been classified into three or more taxa based
primarily on plumage differences, each found on a single island. Each island taxon was
originally described as a separate species:C. sandwichensis on Hawai'i; C. ibidis [gayi] on
O'ahu; and C. sclateri on Kaua'i. These taxa were later reclassified as subspecies by Bryan and
Greenway without any explanation or justification, and this taxonomy has been followed since.
Some authorities continue to treat them as species, and the American Ornithologists' Union is
considering a taxonomic revision of 'Elepaio in which the forms on different islands would again
be separated as species. Two additional subspecies,C. s. ridgwayi and C. s. bryani, are
recognized on Hawai'i by some authorities, based on variation in plumage color on the head,
back, and breast.”

So, there are three options regarding how to handle this endemic complex. Option 1 (the
baseline) follows the Clements Checklist which indicates that there is only one‘Elepaio species
that includes five subspecies. Option 2 yields three ‘Elepaio species, one each for the islands of
O’hau, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i, with the later consisting of three subspecies (Hawai’i, V olcano, and
Mauna Kea). With Option 3 there are five separate species of ‘Elepaio, with the Big Island group
consisting of three separate species. Stay tuned …

O’ahu ‘Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis gayi)

[Endemic/Under consideration for Endangered status] We saw this form on O’ahu on 3/15 at the
along the Kuli’ou’ou V alley Trail streambed.
Identification: Crown and back dark brown; underparts white, very lightly streaked with brown
on upper breast. Lores white, auricular mostly black, eyebrow and forehead rufous, forming
contrasting pattern. Male usually more black on throat than female, especially chin, but sexes not
always distinguishable.

Kauai ‘Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis

sclateri)
[Endemic] We saw a number of this form on
Kauai’i in the Alaka'i Wilderness on 3/18 and
3/19.
Identification: Crown and back dark grayish
brown; underparts white with orange brown
wash on upper breast. Sexes alike.

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Hawai’i ‘Elepaio Group (Chasiempis sandwichensis)
Identification: BNA Online: “Hawai‘i Island. (C. s. sandwichensis, C. s. ridgwayi, and C. s.
bryani). Dark brown on crown and back, with contrasting eyebrow and forehead of rufous or
white. Underparts white, with light to heavy brown streaks on breast. Throat usually mostly
black in males, white in females.C. s. bryani differs in having mostly white eyebrow and
auricular, grayer crown and back, and more lightly streaked breast.C. s. ridgwayi is generally
darker and more heavily streaked below.C. s. sandwichensis often has more white in the
eyebrow than C. s. ridgwayi.”
T axonomy: BNA Online: “C. s. sandwichensis occurs in dry, leeward forests of w. and s.
Hawai‘i I., from w. Ka‘ü on southern slope of Mauna Loa north through Kona on western slopes
of Mauna Loa and Hualälai. C. s. ridgwayi occupies wet forests of e. Hawai‘i I. from e. Ka‘ü,
V olcano, and Puna north across Hämäkua on eastern slope of Mauna Kea, to Kohala at northern
tip of island. C. s. bryani is limited to small area of high-elevation forest primarily on western
side of Mauna Kea. Intergradation occurs on Hawai‘i I. between ridgwayi and sandwichensis in
Ka‘ü on southeastern slope of Mauna Loa, and between ridgwayi and bryani at higher elevations
on northeastern slope of Mauna Kea. Isolated populations in central Hawai‘i I. at Pöhakuloa and
in Saddle Road area between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa may be mixture of all 3 subspecies.”

V olcano ‘Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis ridgwayi)

[Endemic] We encountered this species on the Big Island in Hakalau NWR on 3/22.

Hawai’i ‘Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis sandwichensis)

[Endemic] We found this form on the Big Island on 3/21 at Manuka State Park.

Mauna Kea ‘Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis bryani)

[Endemic] We saw this form at the Mamane-Naio Forest on the Big Island on 3/23.

Timaliidae
Hwamei [Melodious Laughing-Thrush] (Garrulax canorus)
[First identified in the late 1960s but may have been introduced as early as 1919.] We saw this
species on Kauai’i in the Alaka'i Wilderness on 3/18 and 3/19.

Red-Billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea)

[Introduced from China in 1918.] We saw and heard this species along the Kuli’ou’ou V alley
Trail streambed on O’ahu on 3/15. Several birds were also heard, but not seen, on the Big Island
at Hakalau NWR and also at the Big Island County Club on 3/22 and 3/23.
Population: Population mysteriously crashed on O’hau from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s but
is increasing and now common again.

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Zosteropidae
Japanese White-Eye (Zosterops
japonicus)
[Introduced from Japan to O’hau in
1929 and to the Big Island in 1937.]
Common. Seen on each island,
everyday.

Sturnidae
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
[Introduced from India in 1865 to
control insects.] Ubiquitous. Seen on
each island, everyday.

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Passeridae
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
[Introduced from New Zealand populations to O’hau in 1871.] Fairly common on all three
islands, particularly around people.

Estrildidae
Common Waxbill (Estrilda
astrild)
[Native to Africa. First identified
in the late 1970s. Introduction date
unknown.] Common on O’ahu in
Honolulu around Kapiolani Park
and the Honolulu Zoo; seen on
3/15. Also seen on 3/16 on Kauai’i
around the old airstrip next to the
Salt Pond Park.

African Silverbill (Euodice

cantans)
[First recorded in the early 1970s.
Introduction date unknown.] Only
seen at the Big Island Country
Club on the Big Island on 3/23.
T axonomy: Warbling Silverbill was split into African and Indian Silverbill in 2000.

Nutmeg Mannikin (Lonchura punctulata)

[Introduced from Southeast Asia about 1865.] Seen on Kauai’i around the old airstrip next to the
Salt Pond Park on 3/16 and in Princeville on 3/17. [Phil and Barbara also saw them on 3/13 in
the Honolulu Zoo, before the tour started.]

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Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla)
[Native to
Southeast Asia.
Unauthorized
cage release first
seen on O’hau in
1941 and on
Kaua’i in 1975.]
Seen on Kauai’i
around the old
airstrip next to
the Salt Pond
Park on 3/16 and
on the grounds
of our hotel in
Kapa’a. Also
seen on the Big
Island on 3/20 in
Hilo at Wailoa
River State Park.

Java Sparrow (Padda

oryzivora)
[Native to Indonesia.
Originally introduced in
1867. Reintroduced in the
late 1960s.] Seen on all
the islands, but
particularly on O’ahu in
Honolulu around
Kapiolani Park. Seen the
grounds of our hotel in
Kapa’a on 3/16 and 3/17
and in Princeville on 3/17.
Seen at the Big Island
County Club on 3/23.
[Phil and Barbara also
saw them around South
Point on 3/24 after the
tour ended.]

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Fringillidae
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
[Introduced from California before 1870.] Found daily on all islands in small numbers.

Y ellow-Fronted Canary (Serinus

mozambicus)
[Native to Africa. Introduced in the
late 1906s.] Found on O’ahu in
Honolulu around Kapiolani Park on
3/15, especially in front of the
Aquarium. Also found on the Big
Island in Hilo at the Wailoa River
State Park (associating with Saffron
Finches). [Phil and Barbara also saw
them around South Point on 3/24 and
around Wiamea on 3/25 after the tour
ended.]

Drepanididae

Palila (Loxioides bailleui)

[Endemic/Endangered] We
found this rare species on the
drive up to the Mamane-Naio
Forest on the Big Island on
3/23 and then we saw several
others well at the forest.
Population: Estimates
conducted annually between
1980 and 1996 reveal a
variable population size,
ranging from 1,584 to 5,683
birds; there are no consistent
trends from these data.

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 ‘Amakihi T axonomy: Until 1995, the O‘ahu ‘Amakihi, and the Hawai‘i (H. virens) and
Kaua‘i Amakihi (H. kauaiensis) were considered a single species: the common ‘Amakihi
(H. virens).

Hawai’i ‘Amakihi (Hemignathus

virens)
[Endemic] Seen on three days (3/21-
23) on the Big Island, respectively, at
Manuka State Park, Hakalau NWR,
and at the Mamane-Naio Forest.
Distribution: Hawai‘i ‘Amakihi
occur between 300 and 2,900 meters
(1,000 – 9,500 feet) on the islands of
Hawai‘i, Maui and Moloka‘i.
Abundance: The Hawaiian Forest
Bird Survey estimated the Hawai‘i
‘Amakihi population at ~870,000
individuals on the island of Hawai‘i.

O’ahu ‘Amakihi (Hemignathus

chloris)
[Endemic] We saw this species on
3/15 on O’ahu at the Wa'ahila Ridge
State Recreation Area and along the
Kuli’ou’ou V alley Trail streambed.
Identification: The O‘ahu ‘Amakihi
is brighter and smaller than the
Kaua‘i ‘Amakihi.Abundance: A
1991 survey conducted by the State
of Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife estimated the O‘ahu ‘Amakihi population at
between 20,000 and 60,000 individuals.

Kaua’i ‘Amakihi (Hemignathus kauaiensis)

[Endemic] We saw a number of this species on Kauai’i in the Alaka'i Wilderness on 3/18 and
3/19.
Identification: Kaua‘i ‘Amakihi are larger than `Amakihi on other islands with much larger bills
in both the male and females.Abundance: A survey in the late 1980’s estimated a population of
15,000 – 20,000 individuals.

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‘Anianiau (Hemignathus parvus)
[Endemic] We saw a number of this species on Kauai’i in the Alaka'i Wilderness on 3/18 and
3/19.
Abundance: The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Survey (2000) estimated the population within the Alaka‘i
and Kōke‘e region at close to 35,000 individuals, and reported a significant population increase
between 1981 and 2000. The population appears stable in its current range.

‘Akiapola‘au (Hemignathus munroi)

[Endemic/Endangered] The rarest species on the Big Island. We found several birds, including a
very cooperative individual, in Hakalau NWR on 3/22.
Abundance: The Hawai‘i Forest Bird Survey estimated ~1500 birds.

Hawai‘i Creeper (Oreomystis mana)

[Endemic/Endangered] Several seen rather well at
Hakalau NWR on 3/22.
Abundance: Population estimates based on Hawai‘i
Forest Bird Survey conducted in the early 1980s
indicated a total population of about 12,400 birds.

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‘Akeke‘e (Loxops caeruleirostris)
[Endemic/Endangered] In the Alaka'i Wilderness on Kauai’i, one bird was heard on 3/18;
however, another was seen by our group on 3/19.
Abundance: The Hawaiian Forest Bird Survey (1981) estimated a population of ~1674 in the
central Alaka‘i region. The population appears to have remained stable during the last 35 years
despite declines of other Kaua‘i forest birds and the impact of two hurricanes.

‘Akepa (Loxops coccineus coccineus)

[Endemic/Endangered] Several seen rather well at Hakalau NWR on 3/22.
Abundance: The Hawai‘i Forest Bird Survey estimated the ‘Akepa population to include
~14,000 individuals in 1980.

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‘I‘iwi (V estiaria coccinea)
[Endemic] In the Alaka'i Wilderness on
Kaua’i, this species was only seen by a
few on 3/18 and it was heard on 3/19.
However, on the Big Island, we saw many
on 3/22 at Hakalau NWR. Barbara saw a
juvenile bird on 3/23 at the Mamane-Naio
Forest.
Abundance: The following island
population estimates are based on
Hawaiian Forest Bird Surveys (1976-1981): ~340,000 individuals on island of Hawai‘i (88% in
Hāmākua), ~19,000 individuals on east Maui, ~180 on west Maui, ~80 individuals on Moloka‘i,
and ~5,400 in the Alaka‘i Swamp on Kaua‘i. Recent surveys (1996) suggests O‘ahu supports less
than 50 birds. In 1988, two birds were detected on Moloka‘i. On Kaua‘i, populations declined
after the 1992 hurricane, but changed little between 1994 and 2000. The overall population may
be declining, but the species’ wide-ranging foraging complicates population estimates and the
determination of long-term trends.

‘Apapane (Himatione sanguinea)

[Endemic] Seen daily in the highlands of Kaui’i and the Big Island from 3/18 through 3/22.
Plentiful at our lodge at V olcano on 3/20 and 3/21. A few saw one on 3/23 at the Mamane-Naio
Forest.
Abundance: The following island population estimates are based on Hawaiian Forest Bird
Surveys (1976-1981): ~1,080,000 individuals on island of Hawai‘i, ~110,000 individuals on
Maui (86% on Haleakalā), ~39,000 individuals on Moloka‘i, ~540 individuals on Lāna‘i, and
~30,000 individuals on Kaua‘i. On Kaua‘i, populations declined after the 1992 hurricane but
have significantly increased since. The 2000 Kaua‘i Forest Bird Survey estimated the population
at ~64,972 individuals.

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Emberizidae
Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola)
[Native to South America. Introduced in the 1960s.] Common on the Big Island. Seen at Hilo at
the Wailoa River State Park on 3/20 and at the Big Island Country Club on 3/23. Present daily on
the grounds of our hotel at Kona.

Red-Crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata)

[Introduced from South America to O’hau around 1930] Common in park-like habitats on O’ahu
and Kauai. Seen daily on both islands from 3/15 through 3/19.

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Y ellow-Billed Cardinal (Paroaria capitata)
[Native to South America. First
recorded in 1973.] Found only on the
Big Island. Two birds were seen at
Hilo at the Wailoa River State Park
on 3/20 and several pairs inhabited
our hotel grounds at Kona from 3/21
on.

Cardinalidae
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis
cardinalis)
[Introduced from the Eastern US in
1929.] Seen or heard on all three
islands, daily.

Icteridae
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
[Introduced from the Western US in 1931] Seen only on Kauai’i on 3/16 around the old airstrip
next to the Salt Pond Park.

MAMMALS
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Seen off the east coast of O’ahu on 3/15 and off Kaua’i on 3/16 and 3/17.

Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus)

[Native to South and Southeast Asia. In 1883 72 mongooses were introduced from Jamaica to the
Big Island to control rats. Offspring were later shipped to plantations on the other islands.] Seen
daily on the Big Island. [Phil and Barbara saw several on the east coast of O’ahu on 3/13, before
the tour began.]

Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi)

[Endemic/Endangered] One was hauled out a Kilauea NWR on 3/16, providing good looks to all.
Population: The population of Hawaiian monk seals continues to decline and, in 2008, it is
estimated that only 1,200 individuals remain.

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Domestic Goat (Capra hircus)
Seen by all on the Big Island on 3/22 and 3/23 while in transit to/from the prime birding areas.

Feral Donkey (Equus asinus)

Seen by all on the Big Island on 3/22 and 3/23 while in transit to/from the prime birding areas.

MARINE SPECIES
Pacific Green Sea T urtle (Chelonia mydus)
Two were seen at black
sand Punalu’u Beach
Park on 3/21 and several
were seen in the lagoon
at our hotel on 3/21 and
3/23.

Manta Ray (Manta

birostris)
[Phil and Barbara went to
the Sheraton Keauhou
Bay Resort & Spa on the
evening of 3/24 to
witness the nightly
feeding of the Manta
Rays. Two large animals were swimming and cavorting under the hotel’s high-powered lights.
Also, a boat load of snorklers was in the water nearby to witness the feeding. This was an eerie
sight; with only the tips of the swimmers snorkels lighted in the darkness. We understand that
this is a nightly event between 7 and 10 pm.]

Humuhumunuku-nukuapua 'a [Reef Trigger Fish] (Rhinecanthus rectangulus)

[Designated the official state fish of Hawai’i in 1985.] We saw several in the lagoon at our hotel
in Kona on 3/24 and 3/25.

Page 32 of 34
Morish Idol (Zanclus cornutus)
We saw several in the lagoon at our hotel in Kona on 3/23 and 3/24.

Magnificent Snake Eel (Myrichthys magnificus)

We saw several in the lagoon at our hotel in Kona on 3/23 through 3/25. [I think this is correct
species. PCD]

Page 33 of 34
BUTTERFLIES
Kamehameha (V anessa tameamea) [Endemic]

Red Admiral (V anessa atalanta)

Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)

MISSES
Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis). Not seen on our Kaua’i pelagic.

Mottled Petrel (Pterodroma inexpectata) Seen by George Armistead, only, at a distance on the
pelagic trip on 3/17.

T ownsend’s (Newell’s) Shearwater(Puffinus auricularis newelli). Not seen on our Kaua’i

pelagic.

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocies exustus). Barbara and Phil tried to no avail on 3/25
around the town of Wiamea on the Big Island.

Red-Whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). Not encountered on O’ahu.

Greater Necklaced Laughing-Thrush (Garrulax pectralis). We tried for it on 3/19 along

Ha’iku Road on Kaua’i.

Red-cheeked Cordonbleu (Uraeginthus bengalus). Our group tried at a location off of Hwy 190
on the Big Island.

Lavender Waxbill (Estrilda caeruiescens). Not encountered.

Orange-cheeked Waxbill (Estrilda meipoda). Not encountered.

Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava). Not seen at the Big Island Golf Course.

‘Akikiki [Kaua’i Creeper] (Oreomystis bardi) [Endemic]. Not seen in the Alaka’i Wilderness on
Kaua’i.

Page 34 of 34