Category: Birds in Hawaii

Missing African Ground Hornbill  Endangered Bird on the Run High winds caused a tree to fall on a bird enclosure in the Honolulu Zoo on February 10th, 2019. Consequently, two Southern African Ground Hornbills escaped. After, one returned to the zoo and keepers were able to recapture it. Meanwhile, the other, Najuma, is still missing. Najuma is a 13-year old male, born at the Honolulu Zoo. Thus, he is comfortable around people and is very approachable. However, zoo officials insist anyone who spots the bird call 911, rather than attempting to capture it. Southern African Ground Hornbills are endemic to South Africa, and classified as vulnerable to extinction. Their vulnerable status is due to loss of habitat and nesting trees, electrocution from transformer boxes, as well as poachers, according to National Geographic. As a result, there are only about 1,500 birds left in the wild.   HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BIRD?  Name: Najuma Missing From: Honolulu Zoo Date Missing: February 10, 2019 Sex: Male Description: Endangered 13-year old Southern African Ground Hornbill Last seen: Near the Diamond Head Lookout IF YOU SEE THIS BIRD PLEASE CALL 911  

Company Symbol O'ahu Nature Tours chose the scarlet I'iwi (Drepanis Coccinea) to be the company's symbol because of its great beauty and uniqueness. The adult I'iwi is mostly a brilliant red, vermillion, color. In contrast, it has black wings and tail. The I'iwi uses its long curved, salmon-colored bill to drink nectar. This bird is the last surviving species in the Drepanis genus. Furthermore, it is the icon for the Hawaiian Honeycreepers. History and Future of the I'iwi The I'iwi was abundant on O'ahu. It had an estimated population of over 100,000 over a thousand years ago. However, the arrival of people had a negative impact on the species. The population numbers dropped due to the value of its feathers. Native Hawaii bird-catchers caught I'iwi using nets and sticky sap from a variety of plants. They used the bright red feathers to make: capes, cloaks, leis, as well as images of their gods.  In addition, many of the birds were eaten after the feathers were plucked. The introduction of pests and disease in the early 1800's had devastating effects on the I'iwi. Rats, mosquitoes, and avian malaria were detrimental to the species. The rats climbed the trees to eat the I'iwi eggs, and chicks.  Likewise, the mosquitoes bit chickens and non-native birds that were hosts for avian malaria and then bit the I'iwi. The I'iwi suffered due to its lack of immunity. The I'iwi population plummeted. They became extremely rare by the 1930's. Only a few birds existed in the remote forests on the Koolau and Waianae volcanoes between 1980-2000.  Two birds were observed on O'ahu between 2010-2016.  The I'iwi was declared a threatened species by the U.S fish and Wildlife Service in 2016.  It will most likely become extinct on O'ahu in the next few years.   (Pyle, R.L., and

Occasionally, guests are able to encounter and view the endangered Hawaiian Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) during a tour. Additionally, guests can observe this bird while enjoying a delicious shrimp lunch, included on several of our tours. The tours that include lunch are: Ultimate Circle Island tour, North Shore and Circle Island Tour and North Shore Birding Adventure. The sighting of a Hawaiian Black-necked Stilt is exciting and special because there aren't many found in nature. Only a small population of this unique, endemic subspecies of the North and South American Black-necked Stilt remains in the islands. Nevertheless, the population of stilts began to increase to earlier levels after hunting was prohibited in the 1940's.  Today 1,200-2,000 birds exist in the Hawaiian Islands.  They differ from their mainland counterparts by having more black on their face and neck, and a longer bill, tarsus, and tail. The subspecies name of this stilt is in honor of Valdemar Knudsen. He was an early collector of birds in the Hawaiian Islands including the type specimen of the Hawaiian Black-necked Stilt. (Citation: Pyle, R.L., and P. Pyle, 2017. The Birds of the Hawaiian Islands: Occurrence, History, Distribution, and Status.  B.P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI, U.S.A. Version 2 [1 January 2017])