Iiwi: a beautiful native Hawaiian bird

Native Birds of Kauai: Explore Their Beauty and Facts

Yes, before most of the other birds came, the native birds of Kauai were living in a marvelous paradise. The migratory birds came from different habitat and this island proved to be the best habitat to survive.

Unfortunately; habitat loss, climate change and invasive species nearly eliminated almost 70 percent of Hawaii’s native Kauai birds. This is to educate yourself on what you can expect from nature. Discover more about these birds!

Apapane a member of native birds of Kauai Hawaii community on 'Ōhi'a tree

Threats to Native Birds

  • Avian Malaria: Rising temperatures are spreading mosquitoes, destroying native bird populations.
  • Invasive Species: Eggs and chicks of ground nesting seabirds are vulnerable to rats, mongoose and feral cats.
  • Habitat Destruction: Their natural habitat is reduced by agricultural expansion as well as urbanization.

Nearly 90 % of the native birds live in the high-elevation forests, which are cooler and have lower mosquito populations. Let’s learn some fascinating facts about some of the native birds of Kauai.

Details of the Birds that are native to Kauai

Name of the BirdBreeding MonthsEggs By A PairIncubation Period in Days
Akikiki BirdMarch to June1 to 314 to 19
White-tailed TropicbirdMarch to October140 to 42
White TernsFebruary to June134 to 35
Kauai AmakihiMarch to May2 to 314
AnianiauFebruary to June33 weeks
ApapaneFebruary to June1 to 413
Yellow-Billed CardinalMarch to August2 to 411 to 13
Unique Native Birds of Hawaii

Akikiki

Akikiki at Kokee State Park a beautiful view
Akikiki
Scientific Name1Oreomystis bairdi
PopulationOnly five individuals left (estimated in July 2023)
IUCN StatusHighly endangered species

Habitat

Birds of Kauai are split among a variety of habitats. Akikiki inhabit montane rainforests, and their ‘home’ is Koke’e State Park.

Description

The main and highly endangered native bird of Kauai, the Akikiki is about 13 cm in length and 12–17 g in mass. Their head is dull gray, back and side, and their legs and bills are pink.

This little bird is quite unlike any other Kauai bird because it has gray plumage, conspicuous white eye rings and a shorter tail.

Breeding and Feeding

Their female partners lay one or, at most, two eggs each year. Chicks follow their parents for three months after fledging. They eat mainly insects and other invertebrates and feed on dead trees, barks and trunks.

Apapane

Apapane sitting on 'Ōhi'a tree
Apapane
Scientific Name1Himatione sanguinea
Population100K (Kauai), 1.25 million (world)
IUCN StatusNot Vulnerable

Habitat

Apapane lives in high-elevation native forests on all the larger Hawaiian Islands, including the Kauai, O’ahu, and big island.

Description

The Apapane is a beautiful native bird of Kauai Hawaii. It is 13 cm in length and 16 g weight. It has a unique sight with its yellow, brown, and grey plumages accented by red, black, and white colors. Its white bill tip and exceptional flying abilities make it a standout in Kauai’s bird population.

Breeding and Feeding

Apapanes nest in ōhiʻ trees and tree cavities. They breed from October to November. The female lays 1 to 4 eggs, which hatch in 13 days. The males do not visit their female partners while incubating. Apapanes feed on insects and spiders. Their specialized bills assist them with nectar feeding. One strange fact is that butterflies are their favorite food.

Anianiau

Anianiau
Anianiau
Scientific Name1Magumma parva
Population88703 individuals
IUCN StatusClose to endangered

Habitat

The Anianiau lives in various habitats, ranging from wet forest elevations above 600 meters to dry valleys northwest of the island. Other habitats include the koa tree (Acacia koa) and ʻōhiʻa lehua tree (Metrosideros polymorpha).

Facts and Description

These are 10 cm in length and 10 g in mass. The Anianiau is the smallest yellow bird commonly found on Kauai. Male birds are yellow, while their female partners give a yellowish-green look. Anianiau has yellow legs and a pinkish bill.

Breeding and Feeding

The breeding season for Anianiau starts in February and lasts until June. The female lays three eggs, and chicks leave the nests within three weeks. Anianiau feeds on the nectar of plants, flowers, and tree arthropods

‘Akeke’e

Akikiki at Kokee State Park a beautiful view
Scientific Name2Loxops caeruleirostris
Population638 individuals (2021 estimate)
IUCN StatusCritically endangered

Habitat

Like other native birds of Kauai, the Akeke’e only inhabits wet forests and lowland mesic. Only Waimea Canyon State Park and Koke’s State Park are their homes.

Facts and Description

The Akeke’e are generally green, with a blue crossbill and a black mask around their neck. They have a specialized bill with incredible adaptive radiation from closely related species.

Breeding and Feeding

The breeding season for Akeke’e starts in March, and their chicks probably fledge by mid-July. They build more than one nest and forage alone or in pairs. They are highly social birds. Their specialized bill helps them prey on spiders, caterpillars, and psyllids. Occasionally, they feed themselves on plant nectar.

Kaua‘i ‘Amakihi

Kauai Amakihi
Kauai Amakihi
Scientific Name2Chlorodrepanis virens
Population800,000 to 900,000
IUCN StatusNot Vulnerable

Habitat

Kauai Amakihi are generally native to wet forests and scrublands at quite a wide range of elevations.

Facts and Description

This is one of Hawaii’s smallest and most common songbirds. It is about 10 cm long and 13 g in mass. It has a yellow and green appearance, with a black bill. They have a curved, thin bill, brown eyes, and blackish pupils.

Breeding and Feeding

Female bird lay 1–4 eggs with dark markings on them. They mostly incubate for 14 days. While chicks don’t get old enough to feed themselves, their parents feed them until then. Amakihi are well-fed birds that consume fruit juice, flower nectar, insects, and tree shrubs.

Kauaʻi ʻelepaio

Kauai Elepaio sitting on a branch
Kauaʻi ʻElepaio
Scientific Name2Chasiempis sclateri
PopulationEstimated 20,000, it grows by 13% yearly
IUCN StatusRecovery Mode

Habitat

Kauaʻi ʻelepaio is 14 cm long and weighs 12 to 18 g. This bird is commonly found in Koke’s state park, particularly in high-elevation areas.

Facts and Description

Kauaʻi ʻelepaio is a beautiful bird with a gray head and back, dark gray wings, a black tail, and a rump.

Breeding and Feeding

The elepaio breeding season in Kaua’i varies depending on the rainfall, but it typically falls between February and June. They primarily live on small insects and other invertebrates and eat spider arthropods such as ants and caterpillars.

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I’iwi

Iiwi: a beautiful native Hawaiian bird
I’iwi
Scientific Name3Drepanis coccinea
Population350,000
IUCN StatusEndangered

Habitat

I’iwi lives in a high-altitude wet forest of Ohia trees in mesic forests in Maui, Oahu, and Kauai.

Facts and Description

In the native population of Kauai birds, the I’iwi is a sight to be seen and has scarlet feathers. Its black wings, long tail, and curved bill add to its unique and beautiful appearance.

Breeding and Feeding

The breeding season for I’iwi begins in February and lasts until June. Both partners build nests on their native trees. The female lays an average of two or four eggs, which she incubates for at least 14 days. The chicks fledge in 21 to 24 days. Ohio flower nectar is a staple of I’iwi’s diet. They also like to eat small arthropods.

Puaiohi

Puaiohi enjoying her meal at Kauai
Puaiohi
Scientific Name3Myadestes palmeri
Population414 to 580 Birds
IUCN StatusCritically Endangered

Habitat

Typically, 4,000 feet of high-elevation Ohi’a forests on Kaua’i are home to Puaiohi.

Facts and Description

Both genders look similar in their appearance. Puaiohi has a black bill and pink feet. They showcase white eye rings that are somewhat different from those of other Kauai birds. They have a grayish belly and salty brown underparts.

Breeding and Feeding

They make nests in cavities in ledges and trees. Their breeding season begins in April and lasts until May. Most of their diet is fruit and berries; some comprise insects and invertebrates.

Kauai Amakihi
Akikiki in search of food at Kokee State Park

Conservation Efforts

Mosquito Control Projects: This project uses techniques such as IIT (Incompatible Insect Technique) to control mosquito populations to protect birds like the Akikiki.

Habitat Restoration Efforts: By reforestation and fencing projects, invasive species don’t overrun bird habitats.

Breeding Programs: But organizations such as the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project breed and release endangered birds into the wild.

List of other native forest birds of Hawaii

List of other native forest birds of Hawaii include ʻŌmaʻo, also called Hawaiian Thrush, ʻAkiapōlāʻau, Hawaiʻi ʻākepa, ʻAlawī, and ʻIo or Hawaiian hawk.

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