What birds of prey can you discover in Hawaii?
This query is widespread, each for birders and non-birders alike. Raptors are standard animals that are likely to catch folks’s curiosity greater than most different species. Whereas there usually are not many birds of prey in Hawaii, those that do stay listed here are fascinating.
There may be even one species that ONLY lives on the Hawaiian Islands. 🙂
#1. Hawaiian Quick-eared Owl
- Asio flammeus sandwichensis
- Subspecies endemic to Hawaii
- Discovered on Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, Molokai, and the Massive Island.
- Has massive eyes ringed with black, set in a spherical face.
- Its plumage is cream, mottled with tawny and darkish brown.
Quick-eared Owls In Hawaii:
The flexibility of Quick-eared owls to journey lengthy distances implies that they’ve discovered their strategy to many distant places. Within the Hawai’ian archipelago, Quick-eared Owls will be noticed on all of the bigger islands. There, they stay in forest and grassland habitats.
The controversy continues on whether or not these birds of prey ought to be thought-about native to Hawai’i. Their introduction to the islands was influenced by prehistoric people, and this occurred pretty not too long ago in evolutionary phrases.
When Polynesian settlers arrived on the islands, they introduced the Polynesian rat with them. This new meals supply could have led to the settling of Quick-eared owls within the archipelago shortly after.
The Quick-eared owl is now an integral a part of Hawai’ian fauna and tradition. The native inhabitants advanced into an endemic subspecies referred to as the Hawai’ian Quick-eared owl or the Pueo (Asio flammeus sandwichensis).
Sadly, the variety of these raptors is now declining in Hawaii. The causes embody illness, car collision, habitat loss, and predation of their ground-nesting hatchlings by invasive species.
#2. Barn Owl
- Tyto alba
- Not native to Hawaii
- Discovered on Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Massive Island.
- Barn owls have white plumage on their bellies and underwings.
- They’ve golden-brown plumage over their backs and wings.
- Their small faces are white disks with black eyes.
Barn owls are probably the most widespread species of any land hen on the earth! In some temperate areas, Barn owls can sometimes be noticed looking within the daytime. This adaptive habits could assist them overcome meals shortage. In tropical areas, like Hawaii, the place meals is at all times plentiful, Barn owls are nocturnal.
Barn Owls In Hawaii:
Barn owls have been deliberately launched to Hawaii by the Board of Agriculture within the hope of controlling the rat inhabitants. Within the late fifties, they launched 86 barn owls on Hawaii Island, Oahu, Molokai, and Kauai. These days, these birds of prey will be noticed on most islands within the Hawaiian archipelago.
Sadly, introducing these birds of prey didn’t obtain the specified affect throughout Hawaii. Moreover, Barn owls have negatively impacted native species.
That is in all probability as a result of, in Hawaii, Barn owls are nocturnal hunters. Conversely, the endemic Quick-eared owl and different raptors hunt within the daytime. Native fauna has not tailored to the presence of night-time aerial predators and is well preyed upon.
One instance is the Hawaiian petrel, a local Hawaiian seabird that nests on the bottom. Conservation staff have reported discovering petrels killed by raptors throughout the evening. Barn owls are the first suspects. Quite a few different native birds, together with HHawai’ianducks and stilts, are recognized to have fallen prey to Barn owls (Strohecker, 2014).
#3. Hawaiian Hawk
- Buteo solitarius
- NATIVE to Hawaii
- Solely discovered on the Massive Island of Hawaii.
- Hawaiian hawks are properly camouflaged by bark-brown plumage.
- Relying on the colour section, they might have brown or cream chests.
- They’ve lengthy, grey, hooked beaks.
These birds of prey are ONLY discovered on the Hawaiian Islands!
Hawaiian hawks are pretty massive birds of prey, as much as 18 in (45cm) lengthy. Their skill to soar increased than some other Hawaiian hen led them to be traditionally related to royalty. They’ve a loud, screeching name that’s stated to sound much like their Hawaiian title (‘’o).
Earlier than the introduction of invasive mammal species to the ecosystem, the Hawaiian hawk most certainly consumed small birds. In trendy instances, the hawk additionally preys upon rats, mice, and sport hen species.
Hawaiian Hawk in Hawaii:
Traditionally, Hawaiian hawks could possibly be seen on many islands within the Hawaiian archipelago. These days, they solely breed on the Massive Island.
These birds of prey are primarily threatened by habitat loss because of deforestation in Hawaii. Timber are lower right down to make timber or to clear area for agriculture or city growth. Invasive species, notably vegetation and deer, additionally trigger extreme harm to the forest habitat.
Moreover, Hawaiian hawks present a robust choice for nesting within the native Ohia tree. Sadly, a fungus (Ceratocystis fimbriate) is killing Ohia bushes throughout the Island. This destruction instantly impacts habitat availability for the Hawaiian hawk.
Traditionally, Hawaiian hawks have been revered in Hawaiian tradition. Subsequently, killing or harming the hawks was forbidden.
Sadly, in trendy instances, Hawaiian hawks face direct threats from people, resembling capturing and poisoning. Unintended visitors collisions are additionally a major reason for mortality for hawk species, and the Hawaiian hawk isn’t any exception.
Do you need to find out about MORE birds in Hawaii?
Try these ID Guides. Every one is restricted to birds discovered right here!
Which of those birds of prey have you ever seen earlier than in Hawaii?
Go away a remark under!
