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Day 19 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: ʻAkohekohe or Crested Honeycreeper (Palmeria dolei)

The critically endangered ʻAkohekohe is the largest living Hawaiian honeycreeper. It is found only in the wet montane forests of the island of Maui.

Like many Hawaiian birds, its favorite food is the nectar of the ʻŌhiʻa Lehua flowers. In return for this meal, the ʻAkohekohe (Metrosideros polymorpha) helps with the pollination process. Its handsome head crest is perfectly suited for collecting pollen from one flower while feeding and transferring it to another.

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Day 18 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: Laysan finch (Telespiza cantans) The Laysan Finch is an important part of the ecosystem in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, primarily on Laysan. They are opportunistic feeders, sometimes eating seabird eggs when resources are scarce. Their main food sources include insects, fruits, and seeds. One seed that helps sustain the Laysan Finch population is that of the yellow ʻilima (Sida fallax), a native Hawaiian shrub whose flower is traditionally used in lei-making. In return for the meal, the bird helps disperse the seeds of the shrub, as well as those of many other Hawaiian plants.

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Day 17 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)

The zebra dove is one of the most commonly seen birds in Hawaii, but they haven’t always called the islands home. In 1922, a shipment of birds was deliberately released on several islands, and they spread quickly.

In Hawaii, they thrive in open, human-dominated areas like parks and seaside resorts. These same spaces are also commonly occupied by another species introduced to the islands—the coconut palm. The trees have contributed to the dove’s success by providing sheltered perches above bustling sidewalks, excellent nesting platforms, and husk fibers from coconuts make great nesting material for these year-round breeders.

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Day 16 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: ʻŌmaʻo or Hawaiian Thrush (Myadestes obscurus)

The ʻŌmaʻo is the only native thrush left on the Big Island. The Kamaʻo went extinct in the wild in 1989, and the last Olomaʻo spotted was in 1980.

Like a lot of thrushes, the Ōmaʻo has a hauntingly beautiful flute-like song, and plays a crucial role in forest regeneration. By eating fruits of native plants and spreading the seeds across the forest.

*Plant featured is ʻĀkala or the Hawaiian Raspberry (Rubus hawaiensis).

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Day 15 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: ʻAkikiki or the Kauaʻi Creeper (Oreomystis bairdi)

The ʻAkikiki is a tiny Hawaiian honeycreeper, that sadly is thought to be extinct in the wild as of 2024. Today, around 40 ʻakikiki are part of a captive breeding program managed by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and operating out of the Maui Bird Conservation Center and Keauhou Bird Conservation Center. Once a more viable population is established, reintroduction could be possible.

*Plant featured is the rare and endangered native Hawaiian epiphytic fern species, the Pendant Kihi Fern (Adenophorus periens)

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Day 14 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: ʻUaʻu or Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) The ʻuaʻu spend nearly all of their time on the wing, though they occasionally stop in Hawaii's remote, high-altitude areas to lay a single egg per breeding season. Both parents take turns incubating the egg. Once it hatches, they embark on long foraging trips, sometimes traveling all the way to Alaska and Japan, returning at night to feed the chick by regurgitation.

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Day 13 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves : ʻAlae ʻula or Hawaiian gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis)

Found only on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu today, the endangered Hawaiian gallinule is a subspecies of the mainland's common gallinule.

In Hawaiian mythology, the bird is said to have brought the secret of fire to humans. The name, ʻalae ʻula, actually means "burnt forehead," referring to its red shield above the bill.

*Plant featured is the native Hawaiian perennial herb, ʻAkulikuli kai or Shoreline Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum).

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Day 12 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: ʻIo or Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius)

The 'io is Hawaii’s only native hawk, and found nowhere else in the world. Once sacred to Hawaiian royalty, it’s still a living symbol of the islands’ wild spirit. *Tree featured is the native Hawaiian species, Olopua or Hawai'i Olive (Notelaea sandwicensis)

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Day 11 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: ʻAnianiau (Magumma parva)

The ʻAnianiau is the smallest of the Hawaiian honeycreepers. Like its island relatives, it is brightly colored — the male a neon greenish-yellow, and the female a paler, more washed-out shade of the same hue.

They prefer the high-elevation montane forests of Kauaʻi and, like many other Hawaiian songbirds, obtain most of their sustenance from the nectar of ʻōhiʻa lehua tree flowers. Occasionally, however, they will visit other flowers, such as those of the Hawaiian blueberry, ʻŌhelo ʻai (Vaccinium reticulatum).

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Day 10 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: Manu-o-Kū or White Tern (Gygis alba)

Definitely one of the cutest baby birds out there, white tern chicks look like little balls of fluff with big black eyes. The most amazing thing about them, though, is that when they hatch, they have no nest to keep them safe in their tree. The mother simply lays an egg on the safest-looking bare branch she can find and hopes there are no strong wind gusts.

It may seem risky, but the lack of a nest actually helps reduce the risk of parasites and makes it harder for predators to spot them.

*Flowers featured are those of the native Hawaiian tree species Kou, or Kerosene Tree (Cordia subcordata)

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Day 9 of Avian August, hosted by @cookiedoves: Koloa or Hawaiian Duck (Anas wyvilliana)

The koloa is found only on the Hawaiian Islands, with around 90% of the population living on Kaua‘i. They are closely related to mallards but are recognized as their own species. Genetic studies suggest they originated from ancient hybridization between mallards and Laysan ducks.

In addition to the usual dangers from introduced mongooses, rats, cats, and dogs, hybridization with introduced mallards is another major threat to the Hawaiian duck’s survival. Mallards were brought to Hawaii within the past couple of hundred years for hunting and ornamental purposes, and have rapidly diluted the koloa’s genetic lineage. Kaua‘i’s large population is largely due to the absence of mallards on the island.

*Fish featured is a native Hawaiian freshwater goby species, 'O'opu Nakea (Awaous stamineus)

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Day 8 of Avian August: ʻAlalā or Hawaiian Crow (Corvus hawaiiensis)

The ʻAlalā is the only crow species native to Hawaii. Sadly, they were declared extinct in the wild in 2002, but conservationists have been breeding them in captivity and reintroducing them to native Hawaiian forests since 2016.

One of the more clever birds out there, the Hawaiian crow — like its cousin, the New Caledonian crow — has been observed using tools (sticks) to extract bugs from crevices. They can solve puzzles, remember human faces, and form complex social bonds. In captivity, they even teach problem-solving skills to younger birds. They also produce over 30 distinct calls, ranging from alarm calls that alert others to danger, to vocalizations that function like names for individuals.

Reintroduction to the wild can be risky for the birds. In captivity, they are trained to recognize hawk vocalizations in preparation for life in the forest — though hawks are just one danger. Like most native birds on the islands, their greatest threats are mammals (such as cats and mongooses) introduced by humans.

*Plant featured is a native Hawaiian tree species, ʻŌlapa or Common Cheirodendron (Cheirodendron trigynum)

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Day 7 of Avian August: Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) The red-footed, brown and masked boobies can all be found on and around Hawaii, but the masked booby is the largest of the three. It nests on remote atolls and islands that form part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

Masked Boobies nest on the ground, but the nest is less of a traditional bird's nest and more of a scrape in an open sandy or rocky area. The beach naupaka plays a role in stabilizing the environment around their nesting sites. It also provides shady spots for chicks to stay out or the sun, and a barrier against strong winds. In return for the plants protection, the boobies provide the surrounding soil with nitrogen and phosphorus rich guano, promoting better plant growth. Who doesn't love a booby!?

*Plant featured is a native Hawaiian species, Beach Naupaka (Scaevola taccada)

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Day 6 of Avian August: 'Apapane (Himatione sanguinea)

The ‘Apapane is the most abundant and widely distributed honeycreeper on the Hawaiian Islands. Their bright crimson color and flair for singing make them easy to spot, though their songs can vary from island to island.

Like their cousin, the ʻIʻiwi, their favorite food is nectar, usually provided by the flowers of the ʻŌhiʻa Lehua tree. The ʻApapane has a brush-tipped tongue—perfect for lapping up the sweet nectar.

*Plant featured is the native Hawaiian species, ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)

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Day 5 of Avian August: Pueo, or Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus sandwichensis)

The pueo is a short-eared owl subspecies. They're thought to have naturally colonized the Hawaiian islands after being introduced long long ago.

Unlike most owls, they hunt during the day. Also, they nest on the ground rather than in a tree. Unfortunately that makes they vulnerable to all the predators that too have been introduced to the islands.

Consider yourself lucky if you get to see one - In Hawaiian culture they're considered an ancestral guardian spirit, protector and guide. *Plant featured is an endemic Hawaiian fern - ʻamaʻu or amaumau fern (Sadleria cyatheoidesr)

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Day 4 of Avian August: ʻAlae keʻokeʻo or Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai)

The Hawaiian coot , is a unique waterbird found only in Hawaii. It looks a lot like its mainland relative, the American coot, but with a larger, bright white forehead shield, hence the name "keʻokeʻo," which means "white" in Hawaiian.

You’ll usually spot them paddling around in freshwater wetlands, or shallow ponds, either solo or in small, noisy groups. Their presence is often used as an indicator of healthy wetlands.

Even though they’re fairly adaptable, their populations are still considered endangered because of habitat loss, predators like mongooses and cats, and competition from invasive plants. *Plant featured is a native Hawaiian grass, Kākonakona (Panicum torridum)

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Day 3 of Avian August: Hawaiʻi ʻAkepa (Loxops coccineus)

The Hawaiʻi ʻakepa lives only on the Big Island of Hawaii, and unlike most honeycreepers,they are cavity nesters who prefer koa trees in ond growth forests. They love eating spiders and insects, and possess a slightly crossed bill, that allows them to pry open bud and twigs in search of bugs.

Sadly like a lot of Hawaii's birds, they are endangered due to habitat loss, invasive species (like cat and rats), and also by diseases like avian malaria, brought to the island with non-native mosquitos. These birds are a prime example of Hawaii's unique wildlife, and a reminder that protecting native forests really matters! *Plant featured is the native Hawaiian koa tree (Acacia koa)