Native Birds of Kauai, Hawaii : Fascinating Facts and Findings
The native birds of Kauai Hawaii, enjoyed a marvelous paradise before other birds entered Kauai’s habitat. These habitats range from nautical to waders and are very helpful for survival, making Kauai the best bird sanctuary. Learning about the native Kauai birds will excite nature lovers and this article will trigger the drive to investigate more about the gifts of nature.
The native birds of Kauai Hawaii list contains 337 species. Out of them, 64 species are endemic,130 are vagrants, 52 were introduced by humans and rest are the long time native of these islands.
Key Takeaways
- Rare Beauty of Kauai: Kauai’s native birds offer a glimpse into rare species that can only be found on this lush island, making their visit a special experience.
- Birdwatching Paradise: Kauai is a birdwatcher’s dream, offering opportunities to observe vibrant and rare species in their natural habitats.
- Protecting a Legacy: Learning about and supporting the conservation of Kauai’s native birds helps preserve the island’s ecological gifts for future generations.
Let’s learn some fascinating facts about some of the native birds of Kauai, Hawaii some are endangered and at the same time some are brought out by the efforts of the local authorities.
Details of the Birds that are native to Kauai
| Name of the Bird | Breeding Months | Eggs By A Pair | Incubation Period in Days |
| Akikiki Bird | March to June | 1 to 3 | 14 to 19 |
| White-tailed Tropicbird | March to October | 1 | 40 to 42 |
| White Terns | February to June | 1 | 34 to 35 |
| Kauai Amakihi | March to May | 2 to 3 | 14 |
| Anianiau | February to June | 3 | 3 weeks |
| Apapane | February to June | 1 to 4 | 13 |
| Yellow-Billed Cardinal | March to August | 2 to 4 | 11 to 13 |
Akikiki
| Scientific Name1 | Oreomystis bairdi |
| Population | Only five individuals left (estimated in July 2023) |
| IUCN Status | Highly endangered species |
Habitat
The garden Isle offers variety of habitat to the Kauai birds. Akikiki generally live in montane rainforests, and they have made Koke’e State Park their hometown.
Description
The Akikiki is about 13 cm in length and 12–17 g in mass and is a highly endangered native bird of Kauai. They have a dull gray head, back, and sides and their legs and bills are pink. Unlike other Kauai birds, this little bird has gray plumage, sizeable white eye rings, and a shorter tail.
Breeding and Feeding
Each year, their female partners lay one or a maximum of two eggs. After fledging, chicks follow their parents for three months. These birds mainly live on the barks and trunks of dead trees in search of insects and other invertebrates.
Apapane
| Scientific Name1 | Himatione sanguinea |
| Population | 100K (Kauai), 1.25 million (world) |
| IUCN Status | Not Vulnerable |
Habitat
Apapane lives in high-elevation native forests on all the larger Hawaiian Islands, including the big island, O’ahu, and Kaua’i.
Description
A beautiful native birds of Kauai Hawaii, the Apapane, with its 13 cm length and 16 g weight, is a unique sight with its yellow, brown, and grey plumages accented by red, black, and white color. Its white bill tip and exceptional flying abilities make it a standout in Kauai’s bird population.
Breeding and Feeding
Apapane make most of their nests in ōhiʻa 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. Apapane devour insects and spiders. Their specialized bills assist them with nectar feeding. One strange fact is that butterflies are their favorite food.
Unique Features of Native Birds of Kauai Hawaii
Anianiau
| Scientific Name1 | Magumma parva |
| Population | 88703 individuals |
| IUCN Status | Close 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
| Scientific Name2 | Loxops caeruleirostris |
| Population | 638 individuals (2021 estimate) |
| IUCN Status | Critically 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
| Scientific Name2 | Chlorodrepanis virens |
| Population | 800,000 to 900,000 |
| IUCN Status | Not 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
| Scientific Name2 | Chasiempis sclateri |
| Population | Estimated 20,000, it grows by 13% yearly |
| IUCN Status | Recovery 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.
I’iwi
| Scientific Name3 | Drepanis coccinea |
| Population | 350,000 |
| IUCN Status | Endangered |
Habitat
I’iwi lives in a high-altitude wet forest of Ohia trees in mesic forests in Maui, Oahu, and Kauai.
Facts and Description
The I’iwi, with its scarlet feathers, is a sight to behold in Kauai’s native bird population. 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
| Scientific Name3 | Myadestes palmeri |
| Population | 414 to 580 Birds |
| IUCN Status | Critically 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.
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.
