Endemic Birds - Only in Hawaiʻi

Islands around the world host extraordinary species not found elsewhere and have seen the highest numbers of extinctions in our age. Hawaiʻi has been called the “extinction capital of the world.” Unfortunately, many of Hawaiʻi’s birds are endangered or threatened. It’s up to us (and me as a wildlife photographer) to share their rich stories and beautiful images in order to drive a keener awareness and appreciation of Hawaiian birds.

ʻAkiapōlāʻau

The endangered ʻakiapōlāʻau is a stocky Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to Hawai‘i island. With a long, downward-curving upper mandible used for probing, and a shorter lower mandible that functions as a chisel, they fill a woodpecker niche.

ʻAlae keʻokeʻo

The ʻalae keʻokeʻo, or Hawiian coot, is a medium sized waterbird. They are known to build floating nests in standing water. They make chicken-like croaking and clucking sounds. They boast impressive frontal shield and lobed, not webbed toes, that look prehistoric!

ʻAmakihi

Small honeycreepers, ʻamakihi forage spiders/insects with their decurved bills, drink sap, and sip nectar from native flowers (‘ohi‘a and māmane) with their tubular tongues. Until 1995, the Hawai‘i ‘amakihi, and the O‘ahu and Kaua‘i ‘amakihi were considered a single species.

ʻApapane

The ʻapapane (ah-pah-PAH-ney) is a small, crimson species of Hawaiian honeycreeper that commonly forage in the ōhiʻa treecanopies drinking nectar. Well-known singers, they make squeaks, whistles, rasping notes, clicking sounds, and melodic trills.

ʻElepaio

The little ʻelepaio is the only member of the Old World flycatcher family in Hawai'i. The curious ʻelepaio is a lively curious bird that will sometimes follow hikers along the trail. Known as the guardian spirit of canoe makers, they warned craftsmen of insect ridden koa.

ʻIʻiwi

The ʻiʻiwi (ee-EE-vee) is a bright red Hawaiian honeycreeper of high elevation native forests mostly on Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island. They're known for their distinctive whistles and iconic curved bill. Juveniles appear mottled with black and yellow-brown feathers.

ʻIo (Hawaiian hawk)

The ʻio or Hawaiian hawk is a symbol of royalty in Hawaiian culture. It is the only native member of the hawk family remaining in the Hawaiian archipelago. They now breed only on the Island of Hawaiʻi and they occur in both light and dark color phases.

Nēnē

The nēnē or Hawaiian goose is the state bird and known as the rarest goose in the world. These beloved birds were once almost extinct, with only about 30 birds remaining, but through conservation efforts are making a comeback.

ʻOmaʻo

The ʻOmaʻo perches in the forest canopy, well camouflaged. They often wing quiver, sometimes giving their location away. These plump birds like fruit - you may hear their distinctive calls if you are near fruiting trees and bushes. Juveniles have scalloping on the breast plumage.

Pueo

The pueo, or Hawaiian short-eared owl, is active during the day and commonly seen hovering or soaring over open areas. Like other short-eared owls they primarily consume small mammals. The pueo is considered sacrd by many, an ancestral guardian or ʻaumakua.

Stickman Hawaiʻi
Hiking & Birding Hawaiʻi

Endemic Birds - Only in Hawaiʻi

Email: stickman.hawaii@gmail.com