Birds

This native Hawaiian species is the ʻaukuʻu (black-crowned night heron). Generally active at dawn and dusk, it mostly feeds on crustaceans and fish. It is the only known native bird to successfully nest in the park.

Observing Manu (birds)

Spend a few hours observing and identifying the birds that find habitat on the land and in the water at Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Recent surveys have recorded 30 species of birds. Six of these species are native to Hawai‘i (see species list below) but are generally uncommon or rarely observed in the park. Some are occasionally seen off shore or in flight overhead, such as ʻiwa (great frigatebird).

During the winter, it is common to observe kolea (Pacific golden plover), ‘akekeke (ruddy turnstone) and ‘Ūlili (wandering tattler) foraging along the rocky shoreline. The Hawaiian names for ‘akekeke and the ‘ūlili are similar to their individual calls and are thus indicative of their presence in Hawai‘i for many years.

A watchful eye and an awakened ear will lead you to discover some of the other feathered visitors observed at Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau. Most of these will be non-native birds which continue to pose a threat to the habitat and food supply for the native Hawaiian birds that have spent thousands of years evolving on this island.

Upon your arrival at the park, you might watch several saffron finch nibbling on the tall grass seeds of the pili (tanglehead grass) or hear the common myna birds calling from within the noni (Indian mulberry trees). As the moon's light takes over for the sun, listen for the screech of the barn owl.

 

Endemic and Endangered
More than 40 birds are listed as endangered or threatened throughout the Pacific Islands according to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In Hawaiʻi, at least 32 birds species have gone extinct since 1778.

Six native species have been observed in the park, half of these are endemic (found only in Hawaiʻi), the ʻio (Hawaiin hawk), pueo (short-eared owl) and aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt) and two others are endangered.

The ʻio (Hawaiian hawk) is endangered and it is the only resident raptor found in Hawai'i. You are most likely to see it soaring against the blue sky, with its keen eyes searching the earth far beneath its wings, for another meal.

The pueo (short-eared owl) is usually silent except for a series of low hoots heard during courtship and an occasional muffled bark. It is crepuscular, or active at dusk and dawk, in its hunt. The pueo was revered as an ʻaumakua (guardian spirit) by the ancient Hawaiians

The tall, slender aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt) is an endangered wading bird. Sightings of aeʻo at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau are extremely rare. The distinguished black and white body of the aeʻo is supported by pink, long, thin legs. The aeʻo is a ground nesting bird so it is highly vulnerable to predation by mongoose, cats, dogs and even human disturbance.

 

Become a bird nerd expert with this quick ID guide!

NPS Photo

Bird Species Observed in the Park

For a full list of bird species found in the park, please click on the "Species" drop down box below and select "Birds".

 

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Species Attribute Definitions

Definitions

Occurrence

Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.

Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.

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Occurrence Tags

Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.

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Abundance

Abundant:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
• Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Common:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
• Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.

Uncommon:

• Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
• Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.

Rare:

• Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
• Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.

Occasional:

• Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
• Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).

Unknown: Abundance unknown

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Nativeness

Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.

Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.

Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

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List Differences

The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.

The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.

The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.

Select a Park:

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Select a Species Category (optional):

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Species attribute definitions

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