ANNOTATED
LIST OF HAWAI'I'S REGULAR NON-BREEDING MIGRANTSANNOTATED
LIST OF HAWAI'I'S REGULAR NON-BREEDING MIGRANTS
This annotated list details the non-breeding migrants and regular vagrants that occur in Hawai'i. By their
very nature migrants and vagrants may turn up anywhere and so this is more a guide to where and when one might
reasonably expect to see a certain species, or where one should look for a specific species - it is not intended
as a detailed analysis to migrant sightings and does not include as much detail as the Annotated List of Hawai'i's Breeding Birds and
the Sightings Archive.
Many of the locations dealt with in the Where to Watch Birds in Hawai'i section have a list of migrants and vagrants
included in their texts and these should also be consulted. Extreme vagrants are not included below as these species
are either unlikely to be encountered or do not occur regularly enough at one location to give any specific details.
The highlighted seasons for each species indicate the most likely time of year that the
species will be encountered, although of course any of the species could appear during different times.
As might be expected most migrants and vagrants recorded on a regular basis in Hawai'i are those species that can survive the long journey best, such as Wildfowl and Shorebirds. Species such as Passerines are not well suited to flying long distances over open ocean and so are recorded rarely and only in small numbers, many having occurred only once. Species are in taxonomic order. All photographs by Christian Melgar unless otherwise stated. For a complete list of the birds which have occurred in the State go to the Hawai'i State Bird List.
The following information is included for each species at the head of each account:
Status: Winter Visitor, Summer Visitor, Migrant, etc.
Time of Occurrence: e.g. Spring, Fall, Winter, Summer
Habitat Occurrence: e.g. Pelagic, Open Country, Upland Forest.
FORMS OF CANADA AND CACKLING GOOSE Cackling Goose Group - Branta hutchinsii
DISTINCT FORM
COMMON NAME
BREEDING LOCATION
WINTERING LOCATION
IDENTIFICATION FEATURES
Canada Goose Group - Branta canadensis
DISTINCT FORM
COMMON NAME
BREEDING LOCATION
WINTERING LOCATION
IDENTIFICATION FEATURES
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CACKLING GOOSE (Branta hutchinsii)
Winter visitor
Winter
Wetland
The forms occurring in Hawai'i as migrants are small geese of the former
Canada Goose complex (see Auk 2004), and are similar in size to Nene. Adults have brown bodies with pale and dark feather edgings on the back and wings and are pale
brown-buff below. Undertail coverts are white. Tail is white with a black terminal band. The head and neck are
black with a striking white chin patch, which extends up onto the cheeks. Bare parts are dark. Juveniles are similar but tend to have paler feather
edges, and more dusky faces. (25-30 inches) Calls: Low honking, often several notes given consecutively.
The most regularly recorded migrant
Goose species in Hawai'i is the Cackling Goose (mainly minima
and hutchinsii). Birds of several of the smaller
forms have been recorded in the State on all the Main Islands
mainly during the winter months, with birds arriving between October and December and departing as late as May.
Locations such as Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR, O'ahu; Kealia Pond, Maui
and the "Hilo" Ponds on the Big Island regularly have birds in the winter. Also at the Hilo
Ponds there is often at least one bird present throughout the year, this may have been a genuine migrant that was
injured or unable to return to its nesting grounds and decided to stay and now enjoys the hospitality of visitors
who come to the park to feed bread to the (other) tame wildfowl. Occasionally some birds of the larger races, Canada
Goose (Branta canadensis) are recorded but these
are more likely to be introductions or escapes, rather than true migrants. Often two or three Canada Geese will
be present together, rather than just singletons.
Eleven distinct forms of Canada and Cackling Goose are generally recognised
(Delcour 1954). Below are shown all forms with the forms which have or might occur in Hawai'i indicated. Note that
since 2004 all the smaller races are now encompassed under Branta hutchinsii - Cackling Goose and the larger races are now encompassed under Canada Goose Branta canadensis (AOU 2004).
Those marked with *
have been recorded from Pacific Islands (Hawai'i and southwards).
taverneri
Taverner's (or Alaskan) Cackling Goose
From the Mackenzie River westwards.
Western seaboard of USA from Washington to northern California.
Smaller and darker than Lesser with more compact squarer- looking head and bill. Often shows dark
throat line.
leucopareia*
Aleutian Cackling Goose
Some Aleutian Islands.
Central California.
Very small with tiny deep-based bill. Slightly paler than other western forms. Usually a fairly
prominent neck-ring.
Not yet assigned
Semidi Islands Cackling Goose
Tiny population (~125 birds) discovered in 1979 on Kiliktagik Island in the Semidi Islands (Hatch
and Hatch 1983).
The Semidi birds winter near Pacific City, Tillamook County, Oregon (Martin et al 1982). Unfortunately
many goslings have deformities (inbreeding or pollution?) and this may be a limiting factor on the population.
Morphometrically intermediate between Aleutian and Taverner's Canada geese, these may constitute
a distinct population or subspecies.
occidentalis*
Dusky CacklingGoose
Coastal southern Alaska.
Vancouver and Oregon.
Darker and smaller than fulva, with shorter &
deeper bill and usually lacks neck-ring.
minima*
Cackling Goose
Coastal western Alaska.
Interior California south to northern Mexico.
Smallest form with short neck and tiny bill. Darkest form of all - most are dark-breasted, but some
pale. Can exhibit in ideal conditions, a smooth waxy-looking lilac-tinged body plumage.
hutchinsii
Richardson's (or Baffin Island) Cackling
Goose
Arctic Canada.
Gulf coast of Texas and Mexico.
Smallest of the pale forms, usually with very pale breast and small bill, although some show dark
breasts.
asiatica
Bering Canada Goose
Extinct. Some sources list that
it was found only on Bering Island in the Russian Commander Islands where as others include the Rat and Kurile
Islands.
Most or all wintered in Japan (Hokkaido and Honshu) (Kuroda 1939). The last credible observation
is from Japan in 1929, although there were rumors of birds nesting on Buldir Island in 1966.
Another small subspecies. Extinction attibuted to hunting and introduction of rats to nesting islands.
True taxonomic status uncertain and perhaps just a population within leucopareia.
Those marked with *
have been recorded from Pacific Islands (Hawai'i and southwards).
canadensis*
Atlantic (or Eastern) Canada Goose
This is the common subspecies of eastern North America. Widespread.
This is the common subspecies of eastern North America. Widespread. Introduced
to Europe.
Very large, long-necked, pale breast and underparts, large billed.
interior
Todd's (or
Interior, Central or Hudson Bay)
Canada Goose
The commonest form in NE North America. Common in eastern and central USA. Range expanding from
eastern Hudson Bay to Greenland and northeast Manitoba.
Hudson Bay and Greenland birds winter in Northeastern seaboard of North America. Manitoba birds
winter in Texas.
Can approach size of nominate birds. Long snake-like neck and long, shallow bill. Typically has
a pale brown breast, although can show a darker breast and more uniform upperparts.
maxima
Giant Canada Goose
Was thought to be extinct but rediscovered in 1960s by Harold C. Hanson. Giant Canadas were restored
to their former range in the Mississippi and Central flyways and are now said to breed in all states east of the
Mississippi River.
Wintering areas are generally the same as breeding areas.
This is the largest goose in the complex, about 14 to 15 lbs.; rather pale overall, especially on
the underparts; white on cheeks extends somewhat farther up on sides of head than in canadensis. The neck is very
long, it rarely has a white collar, and the bill is very large. Light grey or whitish breast, often with a characteristic
white spot or band on the forehead separating the black crown from a band of black feathering above the bill.
parvipes
Lesser (or Athabasca) Canada Goose
Arctic Canada west to eastern Alaska.
Southern USA, chiefly interior California, but also east to Gulf coast and south into Mexico.
Small-medium sized. Long bodied, proportionately shorter necked. Neck can be kinked. Medium bill.
Round headed.
moffiti
Moffit's (Great
Basin or Western) Canada Goose
Found mostly west of the Rockies. Common in Utah and accounts for most or all breeders.
Uncommon migrant to central and eastern Texas, some wintering on Gulf coast.
This subspecies is only slightly smaller than maxima, about 8 to 14 lbs.; and is similar in general
coloration; may have white markings on forehead and, in intermountain birds, a dark chinstrap. It is long-necked,
and often has a whitish collar.
fulva
Vancouver (or Queen
Charlotte) Canada Goose
Southeast Alaska and British Columbia where most remain year-round.
Winters in Washington and Oregon with many remaining on the summer grounds.
Similar but slightly larger than occidentalis about 6 to 13 lbs, has a relatively small bill. Darker
breast than Moffitt's (Western). Generally don’t have collars.
 BLACK BRANT (Branta
bernicla nigricans)Winter visitor Winter; Spring; Fall Coastal; Wetland Black Brant adults are dark brown-black on the upperparts and dark gray-black below except for white undertail coverts and a white flank flash. The head and neck are black except for a broken white collar which meets at the front. Bare parts are black. Immatures are like adults but are more brownish, usually lack the neck collar and have pale fringes to wing feathers. usually found near or on the coast, rather than inland sites. (25 inches) Calls: Low honking, shorter and more nasal than Canada Goose - gurgling "r-rot" or "rhut". Brent Geese or Brants are less regular than Canadas but show up fairly frequently, also during the winter months and during migration in Spring and Fall. They tend to occur at the same places as listed for Canada Geese, but are also often recorded along the shoreline, especially where there are exposed reef areas where they will graze for seaweed. Kinikini Ditch at the Pacific Missile facility on Kaua'i is a good spot to look, three birds were present during the winter of 1999/2000. Birds recorded so far have all been assigned to the race nigricans or Black Brant, which originates in North America, but some of the other paler races could conceivably occur as well. |
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EURASIAN WIGEON (Anas
penelope)
Winter visitor
Winter; Spring; Fall
Wetland
Drake has pale gray body with pinky
breast and white rear flank and black undertail. Tail is gray. Upperparts are gray or gray-brown. Head is rich
brown with pale creamy forehead. Some males exhibit slightly green eye patch. Bill is blue. Females are brown with gray bill. Head is usually noticeably
brown, cf. American Wigeon. In flight males show white forewing patch and green speculum. Female in flight is similar to male but far duller colors. White belly in both sexes. Axillaries are gray in both sexes, a definitive identification feature, although
in strong light may appear very pale. (20 inches) Calls: Loud high-pitched whistle.
A regular winter visitor and passage migrant which is recorded most years in very
small numbers. Birds are not surprisingly seen at many of the major wetland sites in the Main
Islands such as Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell
NWR, O'ahu; Kealia and Kanaha Ponds, Maui and Aimakapa Pond and the Hilo Ponds on the Big Island. Birds are often found associating with the commoner American Wigeon, look for the axillary color
in non-adult males to help distinguish Eurasian from American. Birds are also recorded fairly regularly at the
water catchment on Midway.
 AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana)Winter visitor Winter; Spring; Fall Wetland Like Eurasian Wigeon is size and shape. Drakes have brownish body with pink tinge to breast and flanks. White belly and rear flanks. Black undertail. Head is gray with very fine streaking. Forehead is creamy-white and very pale. Green eye and cheek patch extending to nape. In flight shows similar pattern to male Eurasian Wigeon. Female like female Eurasian wigeon but head is grayish. Axillaries in both sexes are white, distinguishing this species easily from Eurasian. (19 inches) Calls: Drake whistles, hen quacks. The more regular and numerous of the two Wigeon species which visit Hawai'i, mainly during winter can often be seen on all the Main Islands at all the sites mentioned for Eurasian Wigeon. Birds generally arrive in October and remain until March or April, and sometimes into May and can sometimes be observed in quite large flocks. The birds have a fondness for short supple grass and so can often be found grazing on dykes and grassy edges to ponds at locations such as Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i and Waiakea Pond, Hilo on the Big Island. Identification features of female American and Eurasian Wigeon.
|
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MALLARD (Anas
platyrhynchos)
Winter visitor
Winter
Wetland
Drakes of true migrants are pale
gray with browner wing tips and black undertail coverts. The tail is pale, although curly black central feathers
are usually present. Breast is deep brown. Head is iridescent green with a white collar on the neck. Bill is yellow
or yellowy-green. Legs are orange. Speculum is purple-blue bordered by narrow white. Females are mottled brown with plainish brown faces, slight dark eye-stripe, dark bill and orange
legs. Speculum as males. Feral birds may have other colors mixed in and be considerably larger than wild birds.
(23 inches) Calls: Drake gives
loud, laughing "quack-quack-quack-quack-quack". Hen gives low quack.
The familiar Mallard is recorded occasionally as a true migrant and winter visitor,
but birds are often under suspicion as feral birds or escapes from captivity. Apparent wild birds have been recorded
at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; Kealia Pond, Maui and possibly at refuges on O'ahu, although the large feral population there puts many records in the uncountable category. Birds
seen on Kaua'i and in the North
West Chain are more likely to be genuine migrants as these islands either have
no or very few captive or feral individuals. Birds of genuine origin will often be far shyer than their locally
originated cousins.
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BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas
discors)
Winter visitor
Winter (Has also nested)
Wetland
Drake is rich brown with black
spotting on the body with white rear body and black undertail. Head is blue with distinct white facial crescent
on the fore-face. Bill is black and legs are pale. Female is brownish with a grayish cast and with a slightly paler head which exhibits a darker
eye-stripe and pale loral spot. In both sexes the bill is quite long and slender and the forewing is blue and the
speculum is green. (15.5 inches) Calls: Quacks,
quieter and less raucous than Mallard, nearer to Pintail.
Although the species has nested in Hawai'i (a few birds at Aimakapa
Pond, Hawai'i
in the 1980s/1990s), the Blue-winged Teal is more often recorded as a winter migrant and has been recorded on all
the Main Islands as well as at Midway. The species is usually encountered in pairs or single
birds, but occasionally small flocks might form. Unsurprisingly locations such as Hanalei
NWR, Kaua'i;
Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu; Kealia Pond, Maui and ponds both in Kona and Hilo on the Big Island are frequently visited. The males are usually easily
identified but some females may be a bit trickier but the combination of small size, longish bill and pronounced
loral spot are useful indicators of the species.
 CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)Winter visitor Winter Wetland Same shape as Blue-winged Teal. Drake is deep chestnut in full plumage, with upperpart feathers bordered buff or golden. Wing pattern like Blue-winged Teal. Female like female Blue-winged Teal but is warmer brown and has less distinct facial pattern and less obvious loral spot. Both sexes have slender bill, which is usually fractionally longer than Blue-winged. (16 inches) Calls: Like Blue-winged Teal. Recorded far less frequently than Blue-winged Teal, this closely related species is an uncommon winter visitor usually in only ones or twos. Like the Blue-winged Teal the species could appear at any of the "usual" sites, but can also be found in smaller backwaters and even ditches. This species appears to be a little shyer than the Blue-winged and will readily take to cover or swim into dense vegetation. as with the former species the males pose little identification problem, but females can easily be mistaken for other species, especially Blue-wings. Female Cinnamons tend to have longer bills, more pronounced supercilium and more warmly colored plumage, especially on the breast. |
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NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata)
Winter visitor
Winter; Spring; Fall
Wetland
Drakes have white breasts, chestnut
flanks and black undertails. Upperparts are black, white and brown. Head is deep green with a yellow eye and dark
spatulate bill. Females are
brown with dark mottling and brown spatulate bill. Immature males show dark grayish head with whitish facial crescent reminiscent of Blue winged Teal drake,
but is never as tidy as that species and of course has distinctive bill shape. Both sexes show blue fore-wing and
green speculum. (19 inches) Calls:
Drakes make a croaking sound "took-took...took-took". Hens call similar but a wheezy " kerr-aesh"
and a short hoarse quacking.
Hawaiian called this species KOLOA MOHA, "bright Duck" or "shiny duck".
The second most numerous migrant duck species in Hawai'i. Birds can be found between September and May at all the sites listed
under Northern Pintail, but as with that species may also be recorded on almost any body of water. Birds are occasionally
recorded during the summer months, and probably mainly relate to sick or injured birds. Birds are frequently recorded
at Midway during the winter months as well as
occasionally during spring and fall.
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NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta)
Winter visitor
Winter; Spring; Fall
Wetland
Drakes are very distinctive with
slender necks, pale gray to pinky-gray underparts, gray upperparts, bright white breast and neck and brown head.
White from neck sides extends thinly up to rear cheeks. Tail in adult male is long and dark with white sides. Scapulars
are gray and overhang rear body. Undertail black and rear flanks white. Quite long, slender bluish bill. Female same elegant shape as male but pale brown
color with darker feather centers above. Long slim neck with gray bill. Tail feathers pointed but not as long as
males. Speculum of both sexes is brown-green with white rear border. (Male 26 inches, Female 20 inches)
Calls: Usually silent but Drakes
may give a double whistle ""krru", and Hens a quack " "cr-r-r-rah".
The Hawaiians called this species KOLOA MAPU, which translates as "wind-blown" Duck. Also mapu means to rise or float off like a cloud, presumably referring to large flocks taking off.
This species and the Northern Shoveler are the two most frequently recorded migrant duck species recorded in Hawai'i,
although the Northern Pintail is often seen in larger numbers. Birds are present between late September and late April, although most
depart during March. As with all the migrant wildfowl species in Hawai'i birds tend to congregate at the same sites
and these tend to be the less disturbed areas. All the sites mentioned for other Duck species usually hold good
numbers, although Kaua'i often seems to have less than the other islands during the winter but has increased numbers
during the Spring, presumably when birds start congregating together prior to migration. Ni'ihau probably has a
large winter population on its shallow lakes and these also then pass through the Main
Islands during migration. Birds are regularly seen in small numbers on Midway.
| GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Anas
carolinensis) Winter visitor Winter; Spring; Fall Wetland Drake is gray with brownish tinges above. Breast is pale buff with black spots. Undertail is yellowy bordered by black. Foreflank has obvious vertical white stripe. Head is chestnut with large green eye patch extending to nape. Speculum is green and black. Bare parts dark gray. Female is brownish with darker spots and streaks and usually plain face with only a hint of a supercilium and dark eye-stripe. Speculum as males but duller. See below for in-depth identification features. (14.5 inches) Calls: Drake has high pitched two-note whistle "treel". Female high-pitched nasal quack. This small duck is a regular winter visitor to Hawai'i and can be seen on almost any body of water which has suitable vegetation for hiding in. The popular sites such as Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR and Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu; Kealia Pond, Maui and Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i are all regularly visited by the species, however this is also one of the more likely species to be encountered on any small body of water - from a ditch or puddle to a large reservoir. The species seemed to be particularly fond of sugar cane settling ponds, but with the demise of the sugar cane industry and resultant drying of the settling ponds, the species has been forced back into the more "regular and obvious" locations cited. Quite large congregations of the species are sometimes noted. The Eurasian species Eurasian Teal Anas crecca is recorded very occasionally and a few hybrids between crecca and carolinensis have also been observed. For a full article on identification click here. Identification features of Green-winged and Eurasian Teals.
|
| EURASIAN TEAL (Anas
crecca) Very Scarce Winter visitor/ Vagrant Winter; Spring; Fall Wetland Drake is similar to Green-winged Teal and is gray with brownish tinges above. Breast is pale buff with black spots. Undertail is yellowy bordered by black. Foreflank has NO obvious vertical white stripe as in Green-winged Teal but has horizontal white stripe along wing. Head is chestnut with large green eye patch extending to nape with a slightly less well-marked buff border to the green than in Green-winged Teal. Speculum is green and black. Bare parts dark gray. Female is very similar to female Green-winged Teal and is brownish with darker spots and streaks and usually plain face with only a hint of a supercilium and dark eye-stripe. Speculum as males but duller. See below for in-depth identification features. (14.5 inches) Calls: Drake has high pitched two-note whistle "treel". Female high-pitched nasal quack. This small duck is an irregular and uncommon winter visitor to Hawai'i and is much scarcer than Green-winged Teal and could be encountered on almost any body of water which has suitable vegetation for hiding in. The popular sites such as Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR and Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu; Kealia Pond, Maui and Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i are all regularly visited by the species, however this is also one of the more likely species to be encountered on any small body of water - from a ditch or puddle to a large reservoir. As with the previous this species seemed to be particularly fond of sugar cane settling ponds, but with the demise of the sugar cane industry and resultant drying of the settling ponds, the species has been forced back into the more "regular and obvious" locations cited. Very occasionally a few hybrids between crecca and carolinensis have been observed. For a full article on identification click here and also see table of identification in the Green-winged Teal species account above. |
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CANVASBACK (Aythya valisineria)
Winter visitor
Winter
Wetland
Drakes are pale gray with black
breasts and undertail and tails. The head is rich chestnut. The eye is red. The black bill is a long and slender
"ski-slope" shape. In flight the wing is gray with darker primaries. Females are pale brown with slightly darker heads and very pale and indistinct eye-ring. Size
and bill shape are best id. features. (21 inches)
Calls: Usually silent in Hawai'i.
Voice similar to Common pochard with a wheezy and nasal note or "ki-ki-ki-ki".
An irregular winter migrant in small numbers, usually singles or pairs. As would be
expected of a diving/bay duck the species is often recorded on deeper and larger bodies of water than the dabbling
ducks. Birds have been observed at Hanalei NWR,
Kaua'i; Kealia Pond, Maui; Aimakapa Pond and Kona Sewage Treatment Plant and the Hilo Ponds, Hawai'i.
Although the species is not commonly recorded in the State it is a species which should be looked for, especially
on the larger reservoirs which often appear devoid of birdlife.
 RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris)Winter visitor Winter Wetland Drake has gray sides to body, black breast and undertail and back. Head is dark purple-black. Bill is distinctive with black tip, white sub-terminal band, gray sub-base and narrow white base. Female is brown but exhibits white eye-ring and spectacle ine. Bill is similar to males but duller and lacks white base. Both sexes show black upperwing with gray rear edge. (17 inches) Calls: Voice similar to Tufted Duck and other Aythya species. A common winter visitor in varying numbers each year. Birds can be found at many of the States wetlands and reservoirs, such as Wailua Reservoir on Kaua'i; Kealia Pond on Maui and Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i. This and the Lesser Scaup are the two most regularly occurring diving ducks in Hawai'i. Small flocks are usually seen but on occasions large groups of over 20 or 30 birds can be seen. Sometimes observed at Midway. |
 TUFTED DUCK (Aythya fuligula)Winter visitor Winter Wetland Drake has white body sides and black remainder of body. Head has purple sheen with distinct drooping tuft down rear head and neck. Eye yellow. Bill gray with black nail. Females are brown with paler sides and shorter tuft, often only showing as small bump. Some females show white facial feathering around the bill like Scaup. Immature males are like males but duller with shorter tuft. (17 inches) Calls: Male utters a series of quick bubbly or giggly sounds accelerating on falling pitch "wip wee-weeuwup". Female a low growling. Another irregularly recorded diving duck which is usually seen during the winter months. Usually only single birds are recorded amongst flocks of Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks and so birds are usually recorded from the same locations as those species, such as Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i and Kealia Pond NWR, Maui. Not recorded annually. |
 GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila)Winter visitor Winter Wetland Drake has white body sides, black breast and undertail and gray back. Head is blackish with usually a green sheen. Bill is pale gray and eye is yellow. Head shape is rounded. Female is brown with white facial patch and slightly longer and more curved bill than female Lesser Scaup. Wing pattern of both sexes distinctive in flight - see table below Lesser Scaup. (18 inches) Calls: Male utters low chorus of whistles "wu-wup wu-wo wupuwee". Female low growling "krah krah krah". Recorded annually during the winter months, usually amongst groups of Lesser Scaup and sometimes Ring-necked Ducks. The species also tends to prefer slightly deeper water, but still visits shallow lakes and ponds, such as at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i.  The best way to distinguish
between Lesser and Greater Scaups is by shape of the head, bill structure, extent of "nail" blackness
on the bill, the back plumage (males) and by the extent of white on the open wing. Occasionally seen in the NW chain. |
| LESSER
SCAUP (Aythya affinis) Winter visitor Winter Wetland Similar to Greater Scaup but Drake has coarser and darker vermiculations on back and purple-sheened head. Head is peaked, not rounded. Female like female Greater Scaup but has straighter and shorter bill and different wing pattern. Distinctive wing pattern in both sexes - see table below. ( 16.5 inches) Calls: Similar to Greater Scaup. Commonly recorded during the winter, this is usually the most common diving duck species present, and can often be seen in groups of 20 or more at locations such as Kealia Pond NWR, Maui and Aimakapa Pond in Kona, Hawai'i. Smaller numbers are regularly recorded at many of the States wetlands, ponds and reservoirs on all the Main Islands, as well as occasionally on Midway. Identification of Greater and Lesser Scaup.
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BUFFLEHEAD (Bucephala
albeola)
Winter visitor
Winter
Wetland
Adult drake has white body with dark feathering on wings and back. Head is dark at front and bottom
and with a large white patch on the rear crown, cheeks, ear coverts and nape. Female and immatures
have brown bodies which are paler below. Head is dark chocolate brown with a white ear patch of variable size.
In flight shows white belly and black and white wing pattern in both sexes. (13.5 inches) Calls: A low growl given very rarely by Drake. Female
may give a series of low guttural growls. Migrants silent.
This small attractive diving duck is a scarce winter visitor that is not recorded
every year. It usually turns up in wetlands or ponds where there is fringing vegetation, but also occurs at water
bodies which seem very exposed, such as Kona Sewage Treatment Plant, Hawai'i.
Birds have been recorded on all the Main Islands
at locations such as Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu; Kealia
Pond, Maui and
Waiakea Pond, Hilo, Hawai'i. Could be expected on
almost any body of water of suitable size.
 PIED-BILLED GREBE
(Podilymbus podiceps)Winter visitor/Vagrant which has bred Fall; Winter (Has also nested) Wetland Male and Female similar. Adult is brown-gray with a deep-based short bill which is pale in color and a dark band in summer plumage. Also during the summer the species exhibits a black throat. The undertail coverts are white. Juveniles have streaked heads and necks. (13 inches) Calls: A variety of cackling or hooting notes. Also sounds like a distant barking dog. Although Pied-billed Grebes have bred in Hawai'i (at Aimakapa Pond during the 1980s-1990s) they are more usually seen as an occasional winter migrant to the Islands. Birds have turned up during the Fall and Winter months on several of the Main Islands at locations such as Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i, Kealia Pond, Maui and James Campbell NWR, O'ahu as well as nearby ponds and treatment plants close to Aimakapa Pond on the Big Island. Any body of water with vegetated sides and islands and stocked with suitable sized fish might attract a wandering Grebe. Other species which have occurred in Hawai'i are the Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe and Eared Grebe, although all three are extremely rare vagrants. Pied-billed Grebe photo © John Bushell. |
 SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS (Diomedia albatrus)Winter visitor Winter Pelagic/Coastal Adults are large with white underparts and back and black and white upperwings. The tail is white with a narrow black terminal band. The head is golden washed and the bill is pink. Sub-adults are blotchy and have brown hindnecks and wings. Juveniles are all-dark with pink bill and legs. (36 inches, wingspan 82 inches) Calls: Like other Albatross makes whinnying and moaning noises at nesting grounds. The second rarest Albatross in the World is a regular but extremely rare visitor in the winter months to Midway Atoll in the North West Chain and between one and three birds are usually present between November and March, although their visits can be erratic. Although birds have been sighted at sea on numerous occasions off North America and Alaska, there is only one modern-day record from the Main Hawaiian Islands, one seen at Barking Sands, Kaua'i in March 2000. Midway remains only one of three regularly occurring places where this species can be seen, the other being its Japanese nesting grounds at Tori-shima Island and Minami-kojima, although public access to these Japanese sites is nearly impossible. In early 2002 a pair were seen incubating an egg at Midway Atoll. Link: Short-tailed Albatross Link: Short-tailed Albatross Link: Short-tailed Albatross: Information and Recent Sightings in North Pacific Link: Short-tailed Albatross History |
| MOTTLED PETREL (Pterodroma inexpectata) Migrant Spring; Fall Pelagic/Coastal Adults: A smallish Pterodroma Petrel with gray upperparts and obvious black marking across wing. Below is pale gray except for a dark diagonal bar across the underwing and a bold dark gray belly patch. Tail is gray. (14 inches, wingspan 32 inches) Calls: Presumably similar to other Ptreodroma Petrels at breeding grounds. Migrants silent. Although by no means common off Hawaiian shores, this is one of the more regularly recorded "Gadfly" Petrels. Occasionally birds are seen from land, such as from Nawiliwili Lighthouse, Kaua'i but they are more frequently sighted on pelagic trips. Birds are most often recorded in the Spring and Fall, but birds may occur in early winter and in the summer. |
 BULLER'S SHEARWATER (Puffinus bulleri)Very Scarce Migrant Spring; Fall Pelagic/Coastal Adults are white below with only an extremely narrow dark border. The upperparts are pale gray with a distinctly darker "M" across the wings and a black cap. The tail is gray with a black terminal band above and dark below. (18 inches, wingspan 40 inches) Calls: Probably similar to other Puffinus but migrants silent. An irregular and probably under-recorded species in Hawaiian pelagic waters and very rarely from land. The best time to look for this species is Spring and Fall. Prominant headlands such as Nawiliwili and Makahuena Point on Kaua'i, Kaena Point on O'ahu and South Point on the Big Island are some of the better places to look for from land. Pelagics from Kaua'i and O'ahu have recorded the species on several occasions. Photograph © by Hadoram Shirihai. |
| SOOTY SHEARWATER (Puffinus
griseus) Migrant Spring; Fall Pelagic/Coastal Adults are completely sooty colored except for silvery wing linings, which are very noticeable in flight even at distance. Very rarely birds may have a dull underwing. See table of identification features after the next species (Short-tailed Shearwater). (19 inches, wingspan 43 inches) Calls: Various raucous calls and groans. Migrants silent. A regular and numerous Spring passage migrant and regular in smaller numbers in the Fall. The Sooty Shearwater can often be seen from headlands in the Main Islands, such as Nawiliwili Lighthouse on Kaua'i, where up to 50 have been seen in a couple of hours during the evening with favorable winds, although during a seawatch in 2000 over 500 were seen passing in just over two and a half hours! Other prominent headlands in the Main Islands, particularly on Kaua'i and O'ahu will also likely produce this species. Pelagics from Kaua'i and O'ahu also regularly sight the species and birds can often be approached relatively closely, especially when they are in feeding groups or resting in rafts on the sea. |
| SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER (Puffinus tenuirostris) Migrant Spring; Fall Pelagic/Coastal Adults are very similar to Sooty Shearwater but are slightly smaller (not usually discernible) and have dull wing linings. Occasionally birds will show paler wing linings, but probably not as obvious as Sooty Shearwater. See table below for identification differences. (16 inches, wingspan 38 inches) Calls: Probably similar to Sooty Shearwater. Migrants silent. This species is probably under-recorded in Hawaiian waters due to its similarity to Sooty Shearwater and the fact that many sightings of both species are from land, where observation of finer plumage details is not possible. Good features to help to try to separate the two species are the duller underwing of Short-tailed as well as a steeper forehead and smaller bill - often these features are only visible at close range or in extremely good light. Birds pass through in Spring and less regularly in Fall. Any headland where Sooty Shearwater is recorded is likely to produce this species too. Locations such as Nawiliwili and Makahuena Point on Kaua'i regularly record birds. A bird with dull underwings amongst a flock of Sooties is more likely to be this species than a Sooty with dull underwings, which are sometimes recorded. Identification features for separating Sooty, Short-tailed and Christmas Shearwaters.
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| LEACH'S STORM PETREL (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) Migrant Spring; Fall; Summer Pelagic/Coastal Adults are small with a prominently forked tail and a narrow white V-shaped rump which usually has a dark centre, although this can vary in size from quite wide to extremely narrow, and sometimes appears almost absent. In flight the wrist has a prominent bend at the wrist. Otherwise all dark except for grayish face and very obvious pale bar across upperwing. In strong wind flight is quite powerful and glides on slightly bowed, angled wings. (8 inches, wingspan 15 inches) Calls: Strange rattling cooing interrupted by a falsetto "wuee-cha" now and again and finishing with a spirited "chu-chattericha-chiterri". Migrants silent. This small Petrel is often recorded during the Spring and Fall, although all records so far are from pelagic trips, rather than from land. Birds have been seen from all the Main Islands and so no one particular area appears better than another. A bird seen between Kaua'i and Ni'ihau during the Summer of 2000 was unseasonal based on present knowledge of occurrences, but it could turn out that birds are present throughout the summer and may even breed somewhere in the Hawai'ian Archipelago. During the summer birds may be seen off Kaua'i amongst Band-rumped Storm Petrels. |
 GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)Very Scarce Winter visitor Winter Wetland Large size distinguishes this species from all other resident or migrant herons in Hawai'i. Adults are gray-blue above and gray below with obvious chestnut colored flanks and upper leg feathering. The neck is pale gray with black streaking down the front. The head is pale and has short black head plumest, lacking in winter plumage and black supercilium. The bill is pale and the legs are dark. Juveniles are gray with a black cap and no head plumes. Sub-adults are intermediate but usually have some chestnut on the underparts like adults and a hint of adult-like head patterning. (46 inches, wingspan 72 inches) Calls: Heron-like "kraawk".  The most regularly occurring
migrant Heron to the State, is by no means common and is not recorded every year. It usually occurs in the winter
but has also been seen throughout the year. Most of Hawai'i's larger wetlands such as Hanalei
NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR, O'ahu; Kealia
Pond, Maui and Aimakapa Pond,
Hawai'i have recorded the species. Occasionally
a bird will stay for a long period or may return in successive years (as has happened on Kaua'i and O'ahu before).
The most unusual sighting of a Great Blue must be from Lehua Rock (just off the tip of Ni'ihau), where a bird was
present from at least April until September of 2000. This is likley the most Westerly record ever of this species.Other species recorded include Green Heron, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Intermediate Egret and White-faced Ibis, all of which are extremely uncommon or rare in Hawai'i. |
 OSPREY (Pandion
haliaetus)Winter visitor Winter; Spring; Fall Wetland The largest raptor most birders will see in Hawai'i. Adult: Brown above with white underparts and variable amounts of dark streaks on the underparts concentrated in a breast band in some (female) birds. Underwing is patterned brown and white. Head is white with brown eye-stripe extending to nape and back. Short tufted crest which is brown and white. Yellow eye, hooked beak and sharp talons. Immatures have upperparts with pale feather edges. (22-25 inches, wingspan 58-72 inches) Calls: Silent usually in Hawai'i, but may make a high-pitched raptor-like call - "kyew-kyew-kyew-kyew". This impressive species is regularly recorded during the winter months and may be present between October and April. Birds tend to be rather erratic in their appearances and probably often fly upstream to areas which are hard to reach by birders. Birds have been recorded on all the Main Islands and even Midway. The following are sites which have recorded Osprey more than a couple of times, some remaining for several weeks or months. Kaua'i: Hanalei NWR, Menehune Fishpond (Lihue), Alexander Reservoir, Waita Reservoir and Wailua Reservoir. O'ahu: James Campbell NWR, Pearl Harbor NWR, Kawainui Marsh. Maui: Kanaha Pond State Sanctuary, Kealia Pond NWR. Hawai'i: Aimakapa Pond, Waiakea Pond, Loko Waka Pond. Any of the larger reservoirs may be visited by an Osprey but timing a visit to coincide with a bird is unusual. |
| PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco
peregrinus) Winter visitor Winter Coastal; Wetland; Open Country; Upland Forest; Lowland Forest; Urban Adults are gray above and white below with dark barring on the underparts. Head is gray with wide dark moustachial area and white cheeks. At close range cere is seen to be yellow. Immatures are brown with dark streaks below. Immature and adult tundrius are paler on the breast and head than the darker pealei race. (16-20 inches, wingspan 36-44 inches) Calls: High pitched "keen-keen-keen" or "kyi ki ki ki". A fairly regular winter visitor to Hawai'i, although most years only one or two are recorded, and sometimes none. Birds are likely to be encountered anywhere, but birds have been recorded from Kilauea Point NWR (chasing Frigatebirds!) and Hanalei NWR (chasing Hawaiian Ducks!) on Kaua'i, to the high rise tower blocks of Honolulu and Waikiki on O'ahu. Birds have been recorded on all the Main Islands as well as rarely in the NW Chain. Occasionally birds will over-summer. Birds have been assigned to race on a few occasions and it appears that both paelei from the Aleutians and tundrius from North America and Canada have occurred. Birds may occur over forested areas, in valleys, over city buildings and over wetlands and the coast and so a sighting is usually more a matter of luck than one of searching out a Peregrine. A few other species of Raptor have been seen in Hawai'i, the most regular of which is the Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus), which is occasionally seen in the Main Islands, although this is still very rare (see account above). Other species have included Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Steller's Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), Chinese Goshawk (Accipiter soloensis), Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagapos lagapos or B.l. sanctijohannis), Merlin (Falco columbarius) (all NW Islands) and the infamous Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) on Kaua'i, which whilst defending its territory met its untimely end in the blades of a helicopter. |
| GREY PLOVER (Pluvialis
squatarola) Winter visitor Winter Coastal; Wetland Adult summer: gray, white and black spangled above and white below with obvious black belly, central breast, throat, chin and face. White undertail, breast and neck sides and broad white supercilium. Crown pale gray. Legs black. Bill slender, long and black but more robust than Golden Plover. Winter or immature birds are pale gray and less spangled above than in summer and are often slightly yellowy. Pale supercilium still present but narrower. All black areas below are molted to gray. Distinguishing feature at all ages are the black axillaries visible in flight (see photo below). White wing bar also obviously visible in flight. (11.5 inches) Calls: Drawn out three note whistle, with the second note lower pitched "plu-ee-eu" or "peee-uu-ee".  A regular but uncommon winter
visitor with usually only one or two records a year. Birds may show up at any of the State's wetland
areas, but the species prefers slightly drier areas than most of the wetlands
supply. Maalaea Flats, near Kealia
Pond NWR on Maui
is probably Hawai'i's most regular location for the species, although birds have also been seen on Kaua'i, Oahu,
Molokai and Hawai'i. Individuals are often found foraging by themselves, rather than mixed with groups of Pacific
Golden Plovers. Although this species is known as Black-bellied Plover in North America, the European (and other areas outside of North America) name of Grey Plover is more appropriate as three other Pluvialis Plovers seen in the same region have black bellies in summer plumage. However Pacific Golden, American Golden and Eurasian Golden Plovers have spangled yellow upperparts in all plumages, only Grey Plover shows grey upperparts. |
 PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER (Pluvialis
fulva)Migrant Winter; Spring; Summer; Fall Coastal; Wetland; Open Country; Forest Clearings, Urban Adult summer: Golden-yellow spangled above and with black belly, central breast, throat and face. White and black barring along flanks. White supercilium extends from bill around cheeks to breast sides and joins with flanks. Legs longish and pale. Bill small and dark. In winter upperparts less spangled than in summer and browny-golden below, lacking black feathers. In flight at all times upperwing shows indistinct paler wingbar. Tertials are longer than American Golden Plover and there is only a moderate primary projection (long in American Golden). Juveniles are pale buffy and sandy brown and similar to adult winter. In flight shows gray-brown underwing and axillaries (white in Eurasian Golden, also brown-gray in American Golden). (10.5 inches) Calls: Flight call a whistled disyllabic "chu-it"! Also "chu-ee" with drawn out end.  The Hawaiian name for this species
is KOLEA.A common and widespread winter visitor which is usually present from August to May with birds also oversummering in varying numbers (sometimes hundreds). Hawai'i's most abundant wintering shorebird. They can be encountered in almost any habitat on all the Hawaiian Islands (including NW Chain). Individuals are found in wetlands, parks, gardens, beaches, forest clearings and rides, mountain tops, river valleys - almost any habitat imaginable. Wetlands are usually where oversummering birds congregate. Link: Article on The Pacific Golden Plover |
 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)Winter visitor Winter; Fall Coastal; Wetland Small Plover with white underparts and brown upperparts in adults. Black neck collar which is quite narrow. Head has brown crown, white forehead, black band across forehead and black eye and loral stripe. Small white area above eye. Bill is orange with black tip. Legs orange. In flight shows obvious white wing bar. Juveniles are paler have black replaced with brown on face, lack forehead stripe and have less complete breast band. Call diagnostic. See table below for id. features. (7.25 inches) Calls: Sharp whistle with rising inflection "chee-wee" or "chuwit", recalling Spotted Redshank. Also "chip-chip" or "tup-tup". A regular, though not numerous winter visitor and passage migrant, particularly in Fall. This small Plover is annually recorded at James Campbell NWR,O'ahu where two or three birds regularly winter. Elsewhere in the Islands birds are much more unpredictable in their occurrence, but birds have been seen at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; Kealia Pond, Maui and along the Kona Coast on Hawai'i. A species which appears to prefer wet, muddy edges such as those found in Taro Lo'i and along the edges of managed wetland areas (such as on Wildlife refuges). The very similar Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) is a very rare vagrant to Hawai'i with only a few records, however it is always worth checking carefully any Charadrius Plover just in case it turns out to be the rarer species. The call is the best distinguishing feature. Separation of Semipalmated and Ringed Plovers.
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 LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)Migrant and Winter visitor Winter; Spring; Fall Wetland Pale shorebird in all plumages, brown above and pale brown below. In summer shows spangled upperparts with dark and light patches. White supercilium is quite narrow. Square white rump in flight and barred tail. Legs are yellow and long, thin bill is dark. In winter plumage more uniform without dark splotches. Juvenile has small white spots on upperparts on feather edges. Told from Greater Yellowlegs by: smaller size, shorter, slimmer bill (slightly longer than head, much longer in Greater), straighter bill and uniformly dark secondaries and primaries (finely spotted in Greater). (10.5 inches) Calls: Rather high-pitched and clear "tew", often uttered singly, sometimes two to four notes in quick succession. A common migrant in Spring and especially Fall as well as a regular winter visitor. This is one of the most regular occurring migrant Shorebird species to Hawai'i and can be expected at any wetland where there are muddy edges or shallow water. Birds are seen annually at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR, O'ahu; Pearl Harbor NWR, O'ahu; Kealia Pond, Maui and Aimakapa Pond, Kona, Hawai'i. Birds are usually seen in ones or twos but sometimes a small group of four or five birds may be encountered. Birds are fairly regularly seen on Midway too. The Greater Yellowlegs is a rare vagrant to Hawai'i but should be looked for at the same locations as Lesser Yellowlegs. Lesser Yellowlegs photo © Peter Wilson. |
 WANDERING TATTLER (Heteroscelus
incanus)Winter visitor and Migrant Winter; Spring; Fall; Summer Coastal; Wetland Adult summer is gray above and white below with coarse and heavy dark barring on the underparts. Long, slender bill is dark. Legs are usually yellowish. Short white supercilium. Call diagnostic: "oo-li-li". In winter and juvenile plumage lacks barring on underparts but otherwise like adult summer. (11 inches) Calls: Characteristic "too-li-li" call. The Hawaiians called this species 'ULILI, after its characteristic call. Also an 'Ulili was a bamboo flute or whistle. A common winter visitor and passage migrant which usually arrives in August and remains until May. Found throughout the Main Islands and NW Chain. Most years several birds over-summer in the Islands. Tattlers can be seen in a wide variety of habitats from rocky shorelines to grassy fields to taro ponds to stream beds. Most Tattlers forage singly or in pairs, but small flocks often occur at prime feeding sites where flocks of 10 or more may be found. Often the first indication that a Wandering Tattler is present is the distinctive "to-li-li-li-li" call. Birders looking for a challenge should check Tattlers for a vagrant Siberian (Gray-tailed) Tattler, a rare vagrant to Hawai'i which has been recorded several times in the past. Differences between the two species are subtle and great care should be taken when identifying this rarer species. The call is diagnostic and may be the first sign of a vagrant Tattler. Siberian Tattler is a more appropriate name for the species as both Tattler species have gray tails. Wandering and Gray-tailed (Siberian) Tattler identification features.
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 BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW (Numenius tahitiensis)Winter visitor and Migrant Winter; Spring; Fall: occasional Summer Coastal; Wetland Adult: Similar to Whimbrel in size and shape and overall plumage. Head pattern similar but eye-stripe is often far less distinct. In flight the rump is a rich cinnamon color with a few dark bands, and the cinnamon color extends onto the tail. Back is not white. Call is diagnostic: "chu-a-whit". Bristles on legs are only visible in very good views. Juvenile like adult. (17 inches) Calls: "Chui-u-it" repeated several times. Also a "whee-wheeo". Responds to imitations of its call. The Hawaiians called this bird KIOEA, which translates as "long legs". Also possibly derived from its call. This attractive species is a rare passage migrant and winter visitor to the Main Islands, but is more numerous in the NW Chain. Birds usually arrive in late August or early September from their Alaskan breeding grounds. Birds are seen annually on Midway and some, probably first year birds, may over-summer. In the Main Islands birds are seen annually at James Campbell NWR, O'ahu where a small flock winters. On Kaua'i birds have been seen at Port Allen (behind the airstrip), Polihale and at Kilauea Point (briefly resting) and Hanalei NWR's. On Maui birds are sometimes seen at Kealia Pond NWR and on the Big Island at South Point. Moloka'i hosts a small population, sometimes year-round, and birds often over-winter at a spot known as the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, marked by one of the Hawaiian warrior signs on the main highway 1.4 miles west of Kaunakakai, and in 2003 at least eight birds over-summered on the Island. Birds are also seen annually on Ni'ihau. If whilst on O'ahu James Campbell NWR is closed for the nesting season, birds may be able to be observed from Kahuku Golf Course, which is open to the public, by a Japanese (or Chinese) cemetery on a rise that overlooks the pastures and dunes (private land, posted) between the golf course and the refuge. Although the outermost ponds are pretty far away, with a scope it is possible to identify quite a few species (ducks etc.). Specific directions are to follow the road at the north end of the parking lot until it dead-ends at a fence adjacent to the small cemetery. This should be done on foot, but it's only about a quarter mile (if that). DO NOT make the mistake of driving in (there is a warning sign that is hidden by foliage!) as you may get locked inside the gate, and you will have to call the police to let you out. Link: Bristle-thighed Curlew |
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RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria
interpres)
Winter visitor and Migrant
Winter; Spring; Fall; Summer
Coastal; Wetland; Open Country
Summer: White underparts. Upperparts
rich chestnut with black markings. Head is white, black and gray with dark eye. Breast has black band joining the
face at the front. In winter
and juvenile brown above with
less distinct black areas. Breast and face as in summer but black replaced by brown and white areas buff-brown.
Short legs are red-orange and brighter in breeding plumage. In flight boldly marked black, white and chestnut in summer and gray-brown in winter. At all times
broad white wing bar, white back, black rump and white tail with broad black sub-terminal band. (9.5 inches) Calls: Flight calls are a chuckling "tuk-a-tuk-tuk"
and a short yelping "klew". Also "chuvee-chuvee-vitvitvitvit" when alarmed or displaying.
The Hawaiians named this bird 'AKEKEKE which is a "noise of an ancient harplike instrument".
Another regular winter visitor and occasional oversummering species. Turnstones can be found along rocky coasts
and reefs, beaches, golf courses, parks, taro ponds and wetlands. The species particularly likes short grassy areas
and golf courses provide an ideal foraging area. On Kaua'i
the Kukui Grove Shopping center usually has a
small flock present (sometimes on the nearby golf course) and Kilauea Point NWR often has birds either in the Albatross colony (during nesting season) or on Moku'ae'ae
Island just off the Point itself. On O'ahu birds are common along the North
Shore and near Kahuku. On Maui birds are frequently
seen on Ma'alaea Flats and on Hawai'i birds are regular at the reef off Aimakapa
Pond.
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SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
Winter visitor and Migrant
Winter; Spring; Fall
Coastal; Wetland
In summer plumage rich brown on the upperparts and breast and head with pale belly. In winter pale gray all over with distinct black
primaries. Juvenile spangled above with gray and black and splotches of brown. At all ages has shortish black legs
and bill. Note the absence of a hind toe in this species. (8 inches) Calls:
Flight call is a slightly liquid "plit".
The Hawaiian name for this species is HUNAKAI and means "sea foam", an apt name for this shoreline feeder.
A common winter visitor to the Main Islands and
NW Chain. Birds can frequently be seen running
along the edge of the waves on sandy beaches and run-off ponds and wetlands between August and April and very occasionally
during the summer. Birds are usually seen in small flocks. Kinikini Ditch and Major's Bay on Kaua'i, Kawaiele Sand Mine Sanctuary
on Kaua'i and
Kilauea Point often have small groups present.
On O'ahu the North
Shore beaches and James Campbell NWR have regular flocks. On Maui, Kealia Pond and
Ma'alaea Flats and Kanaha
Pond have birds. On Hawai'i,
Aimakapa Pond and Reef and Kona
STP usually have sizeable flocks.
 WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri)Migrant Spring; Fall Coastal; Wetland A small "peep" or Stint. Bill is usually fine-tipped, slightly decurved and rather long. Flat backed, longish-legged shape recalls a miniature Dunlin. Crown sides and ear-coverts are rather pale and the supercilium is white and prominent in front of the eye. Toes are half-webbed and eliminate all other Stints/peeps except Semipalmated Sandpiper. In summer has extensive rufous on black centered scapulars which contrasts with plain gray wing-coverts. Has rufous crown sides and ear-coverts. Breast streaking breaks into obvious arrowhead markings on upper flanks. Legs and bill darkish. In winter is rather gray and pale and has breast streaks often extending right across breast, however sparsely streaked. For in depth identification consult Shorebirds by Hayman et al. (6.5 inches) Calls: Flight call a high, vibrant "jeet". An uncommon to rare Spring and Fall migrant which is not recorded every year, and has in fact become scarcer in recent years. This small "peep" usually occurs in shallow and muddy ponds such as Taro Lo'i. Birds have been recorded at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR, O'ahu and Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i. Anyone faced with a probable Western Sandpiper should be sure to carefully eliminate the slightly more regular Least Sandpiper or the rarer Semipalmated Sandpiper, both of which have occurred in the Main Islands. This and the next two species often seem to turn up after heavy rainstorms. |
| RED-NECKED STINT (Calidris
ruficollis) Migrant Spring; Fall Coastal; Wetland In summer has white underparts and brown and gray upperparts marked with small black feathers. Scapulars black and chestnut and unmarked gray wing-coverts. Head and breast variably orange-red and unmarked. Lower breast (below orange areas) are streaked white. Short black legs and bill. Dark eye. In winter generally gray overall and hard to identify except by jizz. Overall the species appears short-legged, short-billed and long-bodied shape. Juvenile has gray wing-coverts and rufous upperparts with subtle white tramlines. See Shorebirds for full id. features. (6.25 inches) Calls: Flight call a high-pitched, slightly hoarse "chriit". A rare Asian passage migrant and occasional winter visitor, which is not recorded annually. Birds are likely to turn up at the same locations as those for Western Sandpiper, but Ma'alaea Flats and Kealia Pond, both on Maui, seem to have had a few more records than other sites in the Islands. Birds often occur in early Fall when they are still in breeding plumage and so are more easily identified. Small Stints seen in winter plumage are much harder to identify and other species could occur, such as Little Stint and Long-toed Stint - both of which are extremely rare vagrants to Hawai'i. Sometimes called Rufous-necked Stint. |
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LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris
minutilla)
Migrant
Winter; Spring; Fall
Coastal; Wetland
Usually shows pale legs in all
plumages and a shortish slender bill with a fine tip. Very short or non-existent
primary projection, extensive breast streaking, which often forms a breast band, dullish head-pattern and brown
coloration. In summer adult
has thin rufous fringes on upperparts and tertials, which are lacking when worn. In winter birds are pale gray-brown above with diffuse dark feather center giving a scaly impression
at a distance. Juveniles are
often bright rufous fringed on the upperparts and wings and have thin white mantle and scapular V's. (6 inches)
Calls: A soft, high-pitched,
vibrant, rising "trre-eep".
An uncommon winter visitor and migrant which usually occurs between August and May.
Often found at the same sites and habitats as the two preceding species, this is certainly the more common of the
three and is the species more likely to be encountered. as well as occurring at the more well-known locations,
birds are sometimes found feeding inconspicuously in muddy ditches, river mouths and small puddles after rainstorms.
Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR, O'ahu and Kealia Pond, Maui have all recorded this
species.
 PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)Winter visitor and Migrant Winter; Spring; Fall Coastal; Wetland Adults are white below and brownish above. The most obvious features are the boldly streaked breast which terminates abruptly in a straight line across the breast/pectoral muscle. The species also shows an obvious white supercilium which is usually split just above the eye. The crown is streaked and buffy-brown. The bill and legs are pale greeny or green-yellow. In flight obvious oval patches on the tail sides and indistinct wing-bar. Juveniles are similar but show white mantle lines and rufous upperpart fringing. (8.75 inches) Calls: Flight call a short, trilling, slightly throaty "krrrt", similar to Curlew Sandpiper but deeper.  A common and annual passage
migrant and winter visitor to all the Main Islands and
occasionally the NW Chain. Birds are seen every
year at the following locations: Kaua'i - Hanalei NWR and
Kawaiele Sand Mine Sanctuary. O'ahu - James Campbell and Pearl
Harbor NWRs. Maui - Kealia Pond NWR. Hawai'i - Aimakapa Pond and Kona Sewage Treatment Plant.Birds often also turn up at sugar cane settling ponds, muddy ditches, small pools and even stream mouths. Recorded in the NW Chain on Midway. |
| SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER (Calidris acuminata) Migrant and Winter visitor Winter; Spring; Fall Coastal; Wetland Adult: Similar to Pectoral Sandpiper but breast streaking less dense and does not end abruptly at lower breast. Chestnut cap diagnostic. In juveniles breast is often poorly streaked and has orangey hue. Cap chestnut although less strong than adult. At all ages has broader and more prominent supercilium. (8.5 inches) Calls: Flight call a very distinctive mellow, plaintive, rather subdued "wheep" or "pleep", often repeated several times. An uncommon but usually annual passage migrant and occasional winter visitor. Usually occurs between September and May and usually in singles, although small groups are sometimes seen. Found at much the same locations as Pectoral Sandpipers, though not as numerous as that species. James Campbell NWR, O'ahu records birds annually and is probably the most likely site for a sighting in the Main Islands. Also recorded on Midway in the NW Chain fairly regularly. For identification of Pectoral and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers consult Shorebirds (Hayman et al. 1986), Collins Bird Guide (Mullarney et al. 1999), BWP (Cramp et al. 1983). |
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DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)
Winter visitor and Migrant
Winter
Coastal; Wetland
Summer: Brown above with some black
markings, white below with large black belly patch and black streaked breast. Crown brown-rufous. Short black legs
and slightly decurved black bill, which length varies depending on geographical origin. In winter is gray-brown overall. Juveniles have brownish streaked breast, and boldly
marked black streaked, brown upperparts, and a streaked crown. (8.5 inches) Calls: Flight call a buzzing or harsh rolling "chrreet". Also a rippling "plip-ip-ip"
in flocks.
A regular winter visitor in small numbers. Birds can be found in wetlands,
reefs and Taro Lo'i,
much the same as the other small Shorebirds. James Campbell NWR, O'ahu; Kealia Pond, Maui; Aimakapa Pond and Kona STP, Hawai'i
are all regular sites that birds are recorded at. Strangely Hanalei NWR on Kaua'i
does not get Dunlin very often (as is true with Turnstone and Sanderling), and it may be that birds prefer saline
or brackish water for foraging in, whereas all water at Hanalei NWR is freshwater. Birds also are likely to go
unnoticed along the shoreline of the Main Islands where few birders watch, this is borne out by the record of up
to eight individuals along the Kona coast during a count in early 2001.
| RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) Migrant Winter; Spring; Fall Wetland Male in summer unmistakable with large colored ruff of feathers on the neck and head, varying from brown to black to white. Underparts white except for large, bold black spots on breast. Upperparts brown with black spots. In winter and females rather brownish above and pale gray or white below. Legs orangey-yellow and bill orange based with dark tip. Juvenile often rather orangey on breast and belly and upperparts appear boldly scalloped. Leg color at any age is useful id. feature. In flight shows narrow white rump, sometimes join in the center and dark tail. Moulting males may have variable amounts of black, brown and white splotches in the plumage. (Male 12 inches, Female 10 inches) Calls: Only gives low grunting sounds occasionally, but usually silent.  A regular but uncommon passage
and winter visitor to the Main Islands and recorded occasionally at Midway. Not seen every year. Likely to be observed at many of the same wetland locations as the other
Shorebird species mentioned in the text, Kealia Pond NWR,
Maui and James
Campbell NWR, O'ahu
are two of the more regular sites where this species has occurred. Individuals may also visit golf courses or short
grassy areas to forage. |
 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus
scolopaceus)Migrant and Winter visitor Winter; Spring; Fall Wetland Chunky-bodied shorebird. In summer is brown-chestnut above with dark patches and barring. Below is rufous-red on entire body with dark streaks on breast and flanks. Head has pale supercilium, dark eye and long straight bill. In winter rather gray, paler below. At all stages shows white rump extending onto back and barred tail. Juvenile shows plain tertials which Short-billed does not. Hard to differentiate some birds from Short-billed Dowitcher except by call, see table below. (11.5 inches) Calls:Single shrill, short, sharp "yip" or "kyip", often calls every 2-3 seconds in flight or quickly doubled or trebled, especially when alarmed. A regular though uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Most birds arrive in September and have left by April, but occasionally a bird will remain during the summer. Most of the wetlands in Hawai'i in the Main Islands have recorded Long-billed Dowitcher and any location with muddy edges will be a likely spot, even small ones. Sugar cane settling ponds are a favorite site but few remain today. Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell and Pearl Harbor NWR's, O'ahu; Kealia Pond NWR and Kanaha Pond, Maui and Kona STP and Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i have all recorded birds. Small groups are sometimes encountered, but more often birds are alone or in pairs. The species has also been recorded in the NW Chain. The Short-billed Dowitcher is a rare vagrant to Hawai'i and has been seen several times in the Main Islands and is always worth looking for in the Fall. Short-billed Dowitchers tend to arrive slightly earlier than Long-billed and so birds in August are a good possibility. Identification of Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers. Taken from Shorebirds (Hayman et al. 1986).
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 WILSON'S SNIPE (Gallinago delicata)Winter visitor and Migrant Winter Wetland Generally brown bird at all ages with white belly and undertail and buff breast with black streaks. Upperparts patterned brown, golden and white. Head has distinct black and buff stripes. The species tends to be colder and greyer than Common Snipe with less rich tones. The underwing is usually heavily barred and quite dark in appearance. Bill long and straight. Often flush at close range and give characteristic call. For further identification details see table in Common Snipe account. Some individuals may not be separable in the field. (10.5 inches) Calls: Flight call on take-off is an abrupt scraping "catch"! which is often disyllabic. Photo © Peter Donaldson. A regular winter visitor in small numbers and probably more common than Common Snipe in the State, although identification of many individuals is often left unresolved. The Wilson's Snipe is a Nearctic species which is a proven long-distance migrant, with vagrants recorded in Europe and Asia. Wilson's Snipe breeds across much of North America and Canada and winters in the southern States and south to northern South America. Recent observations have shown that Wilson's breed west to the Aleutian Islands and Common Snipe regularly displays east to Attu (though not found breeding yet) (Hayman et al. 1996). Birds like to feed along muddy pond edges and in scattered and dense vegetation, often only revealing their presence when flushed. Areas of wet grass on the edge of marshes or ponds which have been recently mowed or burnt are a popular foraging habitat for Snipe. Any wetland in Hawai'i may produce the species but Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i and James Campbell NWR, O'ahu have birds most winters, the birds at the latter site are often more easily observed on the ground than at other locations. Common and Wilson's Snipe have been treated at various times as either full distinct species and as sub-species, however the latest taxonomic decision by the AOU is that both should be treated as separate species (AOU 43rd supplement, 2002). For an article on identification and occurrence of Snipes in Hawai'i click here. |
| COMMON
SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago) Scarce Winter visitor and Scarce Migrant Winter Wetland Generally brown bird at all ages with white belly and undertail and buff breast with black streaks. Upperparts patterned brown, golden and white. Head has distinct black and buff stripes. The species tends to be warmer and more rufous or brown than Wilson's Snipe, lacking the colder grey tones. The underwing is usually not heavily barred and pale and plain in appearance. Bill long and straight. Often flush at close range and give characteristic call. For further identification details see table below. (10.5 inches) Calls: Flight call on take-off is an abrupt scraping "catch"! which is often disyllabic. Probably a regular winter visitor in small numbers, although exact occurrence and status of the species in Hawai'i is confused by lack of identification to specific species (ie. gallinago or delicata) in the past and the difficulty of identification. The Common Snipe of the Palearctic region breeds across Europe and Asia to the very eastern edge of Russia and China and winters across nw and middle Europe, across central Africa (but rarely south of the Equator) and across to the Middle East, India and SE Asia. Recent observations have shown that Wilson's breed west to the Aleutian Islands and Common Snipe regularly displays east to Attu although not found breeding there yet (Hayman et al. 1996). Birds like to feed along muddy pond edges and in scattered and dense vegetation, often only revealing their presence when flushed. Areas of wet grass on the edge of marshes or ponds which have been recently mowed or burnt are a popular foraging habitat for Snipe. Any wetland in Hawai'i may produce the species but Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i and James Campbell NWR, O'ahu have recorded birds in recent years, the birds at the latter site are often more easily observed on the ground than at other locations. Common and Wilson's Snipe have been treated at various times as either full distinct species and as sub-species, however the latest taxonomic decision by the AOU is that both should be treated as separate species (AOU 43rd supplement, 2002). For an article on identification and occurrence of Snipes in Hawai'i click here. Identification of Common and Wilson's Snipes.
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 WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus
tricolor)Very Scarce Migrant Fall Coastal; Wetland Summer female is beautifully colored with chestnut and gray upperparts and pale gray underparts. Chestnut neck sides extend around ear coverts and join dark eye-stripe. Crown is pale gray. Legs longish and black. Bill long, straight and dark. Male summer is like female but much duller. In winter is gray overall, with paler underparts and broad white supercilium. Legs pale yellow-green. In juvenile plumage like winter adult but has black feathers on wings, also yellow legs. In flight exhibits square white rump and pale gray tail. Tends to walk more than other Phalaropes. (9.75 inches) Calls: Flight call a short, nasal "vit". An uncommon and irregular Fall migrant, which may go for several years without being recorded in Hawai'i. Individuals usually turn up in shallow ponds, marshes and Taro Lo'i where they will swim and walk whilst foraging. As with all Phalarope species, individuals will often allow close approach providing excellent photographic and identification opportunities. Birds have recently occurred at Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR, O'ahu and Kealia Pond , Maui. |
 RED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus fulicarius)Scarce Migrant and Winter visitor Winter; Spring; Fall Pelagic/Coastal; Wetland In summer plumaged females all red plumage with golden edged feathers above and on nape. Rear neck and crown dark. Face with large white patch encompassing eye, cheeks and ear coverts. Bill is yellow with dark tip. Gray legs. Summer male similar to female but less deep red and paler areas below. Face off-white. In winter plumage gray upperparts and pale gray or white underparts. Blackish rear crown. Dark eye patch and gray bill. Gray legs at all seasons and ages. 1st winter has mix of gray and black upperparts until moulted to winter plumage. Juvenile is brownish above with buffy breast but this plumage is quite quickly moulted and not commonly seen. Red-necked Phalarope moults later than Red Phalarope and so more birds are seen with some juvenile feathering than in Red Phalarope. (8.5 inches) Calls: Flight call a sharp, high-pitched metallic "pit". Known as Grey Phalarope in Europe and Asia this is a regular winter visitor and passage migrant, both in Spring and Fall. The species is unusual inland or on coastal ponds but is regularly recorded on pelagic trips, especially from Kaua'i. Birds have been seen "on land" at Hanalei NWR and Hanapepe Saltponds, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR, O'ahu; Kealia Pond, Maui and Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i mainly during Spring and Fall and particularly after high winds and storms. On pelagic trips birds are most often seen in Winter and Spring and have been recorded off all the Main Islands. A bird has even been seen on the cliffs of the Na Pali of Kaua'i feeding with flocks of Black Noddies! Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) is a rare vagrant to the Hawaiian Islands with only a handful of records. The name Grey Phalarope is more appropriate for this species in most regions of the World (where it is so named) and at most seasons, as the species only exhibits red in adult plumage during the breeding season. |
| POMARINE JAEGER (Stercorarius
pomarinus) Winter visitor and Migrant Winter; Spring; Fall Pelagic/Coastal Summer pale phase adults are brown above with white belly and breast. Dark brown breast band. Head has dark brown cap and area around eye and yellow throat/cheeks. In flight long, twisted spoon-shaped feathers on tail distinctive. White flash shows in flight on primaries. Short dark legs. Bill is pale with a dark tip. Summer dark phase birds are like pale phase but all dark below and on face but still exhibit white wing flash. Juveniles are brown and heavily barred and show smaller, but still obvious wing flashes. Skua/Jaeger identification can be difficult and it is best to consult works such as Skuas (Olsen and Larsson), Seabirds (Harrison) or Collins Bird Guide (Svensson et al.) (21 inches, wingspan 48 inches) Calls: A nasal mewing "eh-glow" uttered on nesting grounds. Alarm call is "pjew". Migrants usually silent. The most frequently, and only regular, Jaeger or Skua species seen in Hawaiian waters. The species is a regular winter visitor and presumably passage migrant in small numbers. Birds are most frequently recorded in and around Pearl Harbor on O'ahu, where birds can usually be seen from land at locations such as Sand Island State Park, Kapiolani Park Beach and the Honolulu Waterfront. Birds are also sometimes recorded along the Windward and North Shores of O'ahu. On the other Main Islands birds are sometimes seen from some of the more exposed headlands, such as South Point, Hawai'i and in the shallow channel between Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i. On Kaua'i birds have been recorded several times off Kilauea Point and Nawiliwili Lighthouse. Pomarine Jaegers are regularly seen from Pelagic trips out of the Main Islands, and it appears as though there is often a sizeable "at sea" population which is not visible from land. Pelagics from Kaua'i and O'ahu seem to record Skuas and Jaegers most frequently. Three other species have been recorded in Hawai'ian waters as rare vagrants and should always be looked for, as the present knowledge of pelagic seabirds in Hawaiian waters is very poor. The other species recorded are South Polar Skua, Parasitic Jaeger and Long-tailed Jaeger. |
 LAUGHING GULL (Larus atricilla)Winter visitor and Migrant Winter; Fall Coastal; Wetland Adult summer is dark gray above and white below. Primaries are black. White trailing edge to wing. Head has complete dark slate-gray hood with obvious white eye crescents. Bill is longish and red. Legs are black. In winter lacks dark head and bill is black. Adult tail is white. Underwing is white with gray primaries and often dark bar across axillaries to outer wing. 1st winter is gray above and below (darker above) with black wing tips. Eye crescents lacking or very faint and bill black. Variable amounts of brown on wings which lessens as bird matures. Tail dark in 1st winter gradually becoming white as bird gets older. (16.5 inches, wingspan 40 inches) Calls: A yelping "kee-agh". Migrants usually silent.  The most commonly recorded Gull
in Hawai'i, the Laughing Gull is also a winter visitor (occasionally in Summer) and is frequently seen in groups
of three or more birds in the Main Islands and NW Chain. As with all the other Gulls any site which has water
may attract an individual, especially if there is a supply of small fish or easy pickings (such as at a Duck-feeding
site). Birds are occasionally recorded at sea behind fishing boats, but most records are from land, especially
around harbors. Most birds are in either juvenile or winter plumage, only very rarely are birds seen in summer
plumage (see Franklin's Gull). |
 FRANKLIN'S GULL (Larus pipixcan)Scarce Spring Migrant Spring Coastal; Wetland Similar to Laughing Gull in all plumages. Adult summer is white below and dark gray above, although usually paler than Laughing. Wingtips black with obvious white "mirrors" and white trailing edge. Shows much more white in flight than Laughing Gull. Underwing white except for wingtips. Head black with very prominent eye crescents. Slender red bill is slightly smaller than the previous species. Legs dull red. In winter black on head replaced by dark gray and flecked with white, eye crescents usually still visible and bill black. Tail white in adult plumage. 1st winter is similar to adult but has more brown and white in wing and dark terminal tail band. Black legs and bill. (14.5 inches, wingspan 36 inches) Calls: A soft "krruk" or shrill, repeated "guk" when feeding. Migrants usually silent. An irregular and uncommon migrant usually in Spring. Birds are not recorded every year and when they do occur, birds tend to pass straight through, rather than linger for a week or so, like many Gulls do in Hawai'i. Most Franklin's Gulls recorded in Hawai'i are in summer plumage, unusual for Gulls in Hawai'i, and is often a good feature to distinguish between this species and Laughing Gull, which is very rarely recorded in summer plumage in the Islands. As with the other Gull species any wetland or water site may attract an individual. |
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BONAPARTE'S GULL (Larus
philadelphia)
Winter visitor and Migrant
Winter
Coastal; Wetland
Adult summer is gray above, white
below with black wingtips. Head is dark gray-black with inconspicuous white eye-ring. Bill is small, thin and dark.
Legs are red-orange. In winter
lacks dark head but has small dark spot behind the eye on ear-coverts and has paler legs. 1st winter is white below and gray above with variable
black feathers. Small spot on ear-coverts and pale gray on rear crown. Legs pale pink. In flight shows gray upperwings with white primaries
and dark trailing edge to primaries. Underwing is pale with neat black edge on primaries, in Black-headed Gull
underwing is darker with white confined to first few primaries. (13.5 inches, wingspan 33 inches) Calls: Feeding call is a high nasal, tern-like
"chirp" but migrants usually silent.
An uncommon winter visitor
which is usually only present in ones or twos throughout the Islands. The Bonaparte's Gull is the most likely "small"
Gull species to be seen in Hawai'i, although others such as Black-headed Gull and Black-legged Kittiwake have
occurred. Birds can turn up at any water or wetland site in the Main Islands, but ponds such as Waiakea Pond
in Hilo seem to be favored more regularly than
others.
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RING-BILLED GULL (Larus
delawarensis)
Winter visitor and Migrant
Winter; Spring; Fall
Coastal; Wetland
Adult summer is white below and pale gray above. Dark wing
tips with small white "mirrors". Legs yellowy and bill yellow with broad black band. Yellow iris. In
winter has fine dark streaking
on head. 1st winter has gray
upperparts with variable amounts of black and brown spots/marks. Pink legs and pink bill with black end. Eye dark.
Underparts white with heavy gray and brown-gray markings. In flight shows only small amount of white on black primaries in adult plumage and dark primaries with pale gray inner-wing area on younger birds. (17.5 inches) Calls: Like Herring Gull but higher pitched and nasal.
Migrants usually silent.
The second most frequently recorded
Gull species in Hawai'i, several birds usually turn up each year mainly in the winter months, although birds may
be encountered at any time of the year, including
Summer. Most Gull species that occur in Hawai'i are in juvenile plumages, but may acquire adult plumage by the
time they leave or expire. Gulls in Hawai'i have a hard time finding enough food as there is not the usual supply
of easy pickings and "junk" food that can be found in mainland continental areas. Good locations to look
for Gulls are Sand Island State Recreation Park,
James Campbell and
Pearl Harbor NWR's on
O'ahu; Kealia
Pond NWR on Maui;
Aimakapa Pond and Kona
STP in Kona,
Hawai'i; Waiakea and Loko Waka Ponds in Hilo, Hawai'i and Kaua'i Lagoons, Kawaiele Sand Mine Sanctuary and Port
Allen/Hanapepe Saltpond on Kaua'i.
 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Larus glaucescens)Winter visitor and Migrant Winter Coastal; Wetland Adult has white underparts and pale gray upperparts. Head white with dark eye and yellow bill with small red gonys. Legs pink. Tail white. At rest primaries are gray with white mirrors. In flight upperwing appears uniform gray with white wing tips. 1st winter is pale brown-gray all over, including head and wings tips. Bill is all-dark, as is the eye. 2nd winter is like 1 st winter but has areas of gray adult plumage appearing and dark bill with pale tip. Hybrids occur and so full descriptions should be taken and features carefully examined. (26 inches, wingspan 58 inches) Calls: Typical Gull noises and screams, but migrants usually silent.  A regular but scarce winter visitor
in small numbers to the Main Islands, which is not always recorded every year. Birds can be encountered at any of the sites listed
under Ring-billed Gull but have also been recorded more than once at sites such as Hanalei
NWR and Kilauea Point NWR
on Kaua'i. Birds will sometimes stay around for
several weeks or even months, such as birds recorded at Waimea Pier, Port Allen and Major's Bay during 1999 and
2000. The similar-looking, though very much rarer Glaucous Gull (right) has been seen on a few occasions in the Main Islands. It is paler buff overall without the "dingey" gray background color of Glaucous-winged, has pure white wing-tips and a pink bill with a black tip in juvenile plumage (Glaucous-winged has an all-black bill). The bird shown here was present on Kaua'i during the winter of 1998/1999 and was seen on both the North and South shores. |
| COMMON
TERN (Sterna hirundo) Winter visitor and Migrant Winter; Spring; Fall Pelagic/Coastal; Wetland Adult summer is pale gray above and white below. Long wings with dark primary shafts and pale underwing. Head with black cap down to eyes. Bill slender and longish and red with black tip. Race longipennis has all-black bill. Legs red. In winter has white steaks in cap and white forehead, as well as dark bill. Juvenile/1st winter have brown feathering on wings, paler bill and more white in cap. Tile streamers long in adults, shorter in immatures. White rump and tail. In flight has dark wedge on upper primary surface and only the inner primaries are translucent (see Arctic Tern). (14.5 inches, wingspan 30 inches) Calls: A sharp "kit" and a rapid series of quarreling "kt-kt-kt-kt" and "kierri-kierri-kierri" notes. As is often the case with birds containing the word common in the name, the Common Tern is not regular or common in Hawai'i. Birds are sometimes seen on migration and in the winter months. Birds may turn up at any pond or wetland but places where they have been recorded recently include Hanalei NWR and Kalapaki Bay, Kaua'i; James Campbell NWR, O'ahu; Kealia Pond, Maui and Kona STP, Hawai'i. Birds seen at sea must be distinguished from the more regular Arctic Tern. Most Common Terns seen in Hawai'i are in juvenile plumages. |
 ARCTIC TERN (Sterna
paradisaea)Spring Migrant Spring Pelagic/Coastal Very like Common Tern but is slightly smaller and has a shorter bill, longer tail, shorter legs and narrower wings. Adult summer has paler upperparts than Common Tern, all red stout bill and short red legs. Tail steamers much longer than in Common. In winter has more white streaks on cap, dark legs (red in Common) and all dark, short bill. 1st winter like 1st winter Common Tern but dark bill and less brown feathering. In flight upperwing shows plain light gray hand and underwing has all primaries translucent (see Common Tern) (15.5 inches, wingspan 31 inches) Calls: Recalls Common Tern but includes a clear piping "pi-pi-pi-pi", "pyu-pyu-pyu" and a ringing "prree-eh" Also a quarrelling and hard rattling "kt-kt-kt-krr-kt". Migrants usually silent. The most frequently recorded non-breeding migrant Tern in Hawai'i, is usually only present in Hawaiian water during the Spring and only between April and May, when birds pass through the North Pacific. Occasionally, but rarely, birds will be found on coastal wetlands such as Hanalei NWR, Kaua'i; Kealia Pond, Maui and Aimakapa Pond, Hawai'i, however birds are usually only seen from pelagics and sometimes from prominent headlands. Unidentified species of "white" Terns have been recorded from several headlands on Kaua'i as well as from boats off Kaua'i outside the "expected" months of Arctic Tern passage (ie. during Summer and Fall) and it is unknown whether these are late migrants, Common Terns or another species yet recorded from Hawaiian waters. More pelagics into Hawai'i's offshore waters will hopefully identify these individuals soon. |
| LEAST
TERN (Sterna antillarum) Winter visitor and Migrant Winter; Spring; Fall (Has also nested) Pelagic/Coastal; Wetland Adults of this species are pale gray above and white below with dark crowns and eye stripes and black-tipped yellow bills. Legs are short and yellow. The tail and rump are pale gray in Least Tern. Juveniles are similar to adults but have streaked crowns and variable amounts of dark feathering on the upperparts. Chicks are pale gray with black spots. Calls are a distinguishing feature too. For full identification details see below table. (9 inches, wingspan 20 inches) Calls: Double noted "ch-dic" or guttural up-slurred "rre-it". Also an Oystercatcher like squeak. This small Tern species is recorded fairly frequently, but not commonly in Hawai'i. Individuals will often turn up at coastal wetlands during migration in both Spring and Fall and sometimes a bird will stay and winter. Birds have been recorded recently at James Campbell NWR and Pearl Harbor NWR's on O'ahu and Kealia Pond on Maui. Birds are also sometimes seen in the NW Chain and have even nested there. The very similar Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) has also been recorded very rarely in Hawai'i (although not confirmed in the Main Islands yet) and has actually successfully nested in the NW Chain, raising two young in 2000. Both species should be looked for in the Main Islands but great care is required to separate the two species. Voice is the best distinguishing feature, but subtle features such as rump color should be carefully noted. For an article on Least and Little Terns click here. Identification of Least and Little Terns.
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