Birds Introduced to Hawaiʻi

Many birds have been introduced to Hawaiʻi over the years, some as game birds, some escaped caged birds, and others introduced in the hopes of solving problems. There are now introduced birds considered invasive species. Below are a few of the birds introduced to the islands that I have seen.

African Silverbill

The African silverbill forages for seeds and occasional small creatures in open, grassy areas, especially near water sources. Small flocks sound like little “tinkling” bells.

Cattle Egret

Introduced in 1959, the egret was introduced to aid ranchers with biocontrol. You see them perched on or near cattle or horses, gathered in trees/fields, or flying in groups.

Chestnut Munia

These seed-eating finches are found in Southeast Asia and Indonesia and were once the national bird of the Philippines. They were likely introduced to Hawaiʻi as escaped pets.

Chickens

If you've spent time in Hawaiʻi, you've seen chickens everywhere. Jungle fowl were brought by Polynesian navigators and escaped domestic chickens are plentiful.

Chinese Hwamei

The hwamei, or melodious laughing thrush, has a long melodic song and they sometimes mimic other birds. The chinese word hwamei means "painted eyebrow."

Chukar

Native to Asia and the Middle East, chukars were released as gamebirds in Hawaii as early as the 1920s. They live in dry, rocky, open areas, often at higher elevations.

Common Waxbill

These tiny seed eaters were first reported in Hawaiʻi in the late 1970s. They forage in groups and have a distinctive high-pitched flight call to go with their distinctive mask.

Erckel’s Francolin

The Erckel’s francolin was introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1957 as a gamebird. They scare easily and run rather than flush. They have a loud laughing cackle, frequently heard in the morning.

Gray Francolin

The gray francolin is mainly brown (despite its name). Seen in open grassy areas such as dry grasslands, scrub, and agricultural land, they were introduced as a game bird.

House Finch

The house finch was introduced to Hawaiʻi around the mid-1800s and become abundant on most Hawaiian Islands by 1901. They sing a long, twittering song.

Java Sparrow

The java sparrow is a voracious seed eater and is often seen at birdfeeders. While abundant in Hawai‘i, they are actually becoming endangered in their native range of Indonesia.

Kalij Pheasant

The Kalij pheasant was brought to Hawaiʻi in 1962 from Southern Asia as a gamebird. Kalij favor forested, upland areas, and are especially plentiful in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Mejiro

A fast-moving green bird, the mejiro's white eye rings stand out. They feed mostly on insects and nectar. Introduced in 1929 to help control insect, but they're now the most abundant land bird.

Mynah

The mynah was introduced to Hawaiʻi from India in 1865 to control pests. They are often seen walking around. They squawk and chase cats, mongoose, and even hawks.

Northern Cardinal

Introduced in 1929, northern cardinals are now common throughout Hawaiʻi. It forages on the ground by hopping, not walking. They form lifetime pairs and stay together year-round.

Northern Mockingbird

The northern mockingbird was introduced to Oahu in 1928 to help control insect pests and because of its pleasant song. Since then it has spread to most main islands, but it is uncommon.

Peacock

Peacocks, or Indian peafowl, were introduced sometime around or before 1860. Hawaiian Princess Kaʻiulani was often refered to as "the peacock princess" due to her love of these birds.

Red Avadavat

Also known as the Strawberry Fire Finch, this bird forages for seeds, often close to water. From southeast Asia, they were first seen on Oʻahu in the early 1900s, likely after escaping cages.

Red-billed Leiothrix

This spunky bird is noisy, often heard “scolding” humans without being seen. They eat fruit and invertebrates and disperse seeds. They came to Hawaiʻi in the early 1900s as caged birds.

Red-crested Cardinal

This bird is part of the tanager family, unrelated to other cardinals. Its native range is South America and was introduced in Hawaiʻi in the 1930s. It forages in parks and urban areas.

Red-vented bulbul

Present in large numbers on the island of O‘ahu, the bulbul is an invasive species that began in the 1950s as escaped caged birds. They eat fruits and orchid buds, and are agricultural pests.

Saffron Finch

Introduced from South America in 1965, the brilliantly-colored saffron finch has expanded to most of Hawaiʻi Island especially in short grassy areas along the coasts and in open lawns.

Scaly-breasted Munia (juveniles)

Native to southern Asia, this small waxbill is a popular caged bird. Escapees from captivity have established wild populations in Hawaiʻi. These very small finches often flock together.

Turkey

Introduced as game birds, the exact population of turkeys is unknown. But, it is estimated that there may be as many as 18,000 turkeys in the state of Hawai‘i.

Yellow-billed Cardinal

Introduced in the 1960s from South America, this red-headed tananger are seen across Hawaiʻi in parking lots, short grassy fields, and shrubby areas. Juveniles have a brown head.