Top 15 Birds in Hawaii

Hawaii is home to some of the most unique and beautiful birds on the planet. Below is a guide to 15 of these incredible species, including descriptions, habitats, ecosystem roles, and their conservation status.

1. Hawaiian Goose (Nene) - Branta sandvicensis

• Description: The Nene is Hawaii's state bird, known for its soft gray-brown plumage, black face, and deeply furrowed neck feathers.
• Habitat: Volcanic slopes, grasslands, and shrublands of the main Hawaiian Islands.
• Ecosystem Services: Helps disperse native plant seeds through its droppings.
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable; significant recovery efforts are in place.

2. ‘I‘iwi - Drepanis coccinea

• Description: A striking honeycreeper with brilliant scarlet plumage and a curved salmon-colored bill.
• Habitat: High-elevation rainforests.
• Ecosystem Services: Pollinator for native flowers like ʻōhiʻa lehua.
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable due to habitat loss and avian diseases.

3. Hawaiian Hawk (ʻIo) - Buteo solitarius

• Description: A medium-sized raptor with dark brown plumage and fierce yellow eyes.
• Habitat: Forests, grasslands, and agricultural lands of Hawai‘i Island.
• Ecosystem Services: Top predator that helps control rodent populations.
• Conservation Status: Near Threatened.

4. Hawaiian Petrel (ʻUaʻu) - Pterodroma sandwichensis

• Description: A large, dark gray seabird with white underparts and a distinctive call at night.
• Habitat: Nests in mountain burrows; forages over open ocean.
• Ecosystem Services: Nutrient transport between ocean and land ecosystems.
• Conservation Status: Endangered.

5. O‘ahu ‘Elepaio - Chasiempis ibidis

• Description: A small flycatcher with brown upperparts and white underparts, known for its chattering call.
• Habitat: Native forests of O‘ahu.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls insect populations.
• Conservation Status: Endangered.

6. Hawaiian Coot (ʻAlae keʻokeʻo) - Fulica alai

• Description: A black waterbird with a white bill and frontal shield.
• Habitat: Freshwater wetlands and coastal ponds.
• Ecosystem Services: Maintains wetland plant communities by grazing.
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

7. ‘Apapane - Himatione sanguinea

• Description: A bright red honeycreeper with black wings and tail.
• Habitat: High-elevation rainforests.
• Ecosystem Services: Key pollinator for native flora.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, but facing threats from disease and habitat loss.

8. Laysan Albatross (Mōlī) - Phoebastria immutabilis

• Description: A large seabird with white head and body, and dark wings.
• Habitat: Breeds on Hawaiian atolls; forages across the Pacific Ocean.
• Ecosystem Services: Marine nutrient cycling.
• Conservation Status: Near Threatened.

9. Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owl) - Asio flammeus sandwichensis

• Description: A diurnal owl with mottled brown plumage and bright yellow eyes.
• Habitat: Open grasslands and shrublands.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls small mammal populations.
• Conservation Status: Species of Concern.

10. ‘Akepa - Loxops coccineus

• Description: Small honeycreeper with males sporting brilliant orange plumage and a crossed bill tip.
• Habitat: Old-growth native forests on Hawai‘i Island.
• Ecosystem Services: Pollination and insect control.
• Conservation Status: Endangered.

11. ‘Akiapōlā‘au - Hemignathus wilsoni

• Description: A bird with a unique bill—short lower mandible and long curved upper mandible—used for extracting insects.
• Habitat: Native koa and ōhia forests of Hawai‘i Island.
• Ecosystem Services: Insect control and seed dispersal.
• Conservation Status: Endangered.

12. Palila - Loxioides bailleui

• Description: A large finch-like honeycreeper with yellow head and breast, and gray back.
• Habitat: High-elevation dry forests of Mauna Kea.
• Ecosystem Services: Dependent on and helps sustain māmane trees through seed interaction.
• Conservation Status: Critically Endangered.

13. Black Noddy (Noio) - Anous minutus

• Description: A slender seabird with black plumage and a white cap.
• Habitat: Coastal cliffs and islets.
• Ecosystem Services: Nutrient transfer from sea to land.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

14. White Tern (Manu-o-Kū) - Gygis alba

• Description: A graceful all-white seabird with dark eyes and bill.
• Habitat: Nests in urban trees and coastal areas, especially on O‘ahu.
• Ecosystem Services: Indicator of marine ecosystem health.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

15. Red-tailed Tropicbird (Koa‘e ‘ula) - Phaethon rubricauda

• Description: White seabird with long red tail streamers and black eye markings.
• Habitat: Nests on cliffs and rocky islets.
• Ecosystem Services: Transfers nutrients from ocean to nesting grounds.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, but vulnerable to habitat disturbance.