Part 3

WHITE-TAILED TROPIC-BIRD Phaëthon lepturus (Hawaiian name—koae)

DESCRIPTION: 30″-32″. Unmistakable as a large white bird with two fantastically long tail plumes, soaring around rocky cliffs such as in Halemaumau. There is some black on the upper wings and around the face.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: Kilauea—Uncommon, except locally. There are nearly always a few birds soaring in Halemaumau, around the pit craters in the Kau Desert, and near Hilina Pali. They are occasionally seen along the coast. Haleakala—Some can usually be seen in the crater, especially around the ruggedest cliffs such as behind Holua and Paliku Cabins.

VOICE: High pitched rasping cries.

Halemaumau—What a strange place for a sea bird! Yet these fish-eating birds have nested in the Kilauea area for as long as we have records. In recent years Halemaumau has been their favorite haunt, except when volcano fumes drive them away, such as during the time when heavy sulphur gasses filled the pit in June 1960. When Halemaumau erupts the birds may become trapped by rapidly rising hot gas; in 1952 several of them perished, falling into the molten lava below. For a meal the Halemaumau birds must make at least a 10-mile flight to the ocean.

NENE Branta sandvicensis (also Hawaiian goose)

DESCRIPTION: 23″-28″. The only ducklike bird apt to be seen in the park. A medium sized goose with striking head and neck markings. The face, crown, and top of the neck are black, the throat and neck sides are cream colored, and the remainder of the body is mottled and dark.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: Formerly abundant in Hawaii and probably Maui. Now extinct on Maui, while a few wild birds remain on Hawaii. Kilauea—Occasionally seen on the slopes of Mauna Loa usually between 6,000 and 7,500 feet.

VOICE: Various thin, creaky notes. Often gives a high-pitched honking in flight.

Because of recent studies, the habits of the nene are probably better understood than those of any other native Hawaiian bird. The most amazing thing about their life is the way they have forsaken water in favor of rough, clinkery lava. All other ducks and geese rear their young partly in water, but today the breeding grounds for the nene, high on the barren slopes of Mauna Loa, are far from the nearest open water. Here during the winter months the geese raise their broods of two to five young. Berries, herbs, and grass growing in kipukas (islands of vegetation surrounded by more recent lava flows) comprise the diet. At present the nene is one of the rarest birds in the world and has been near extinction in recent years.

The story of the nene’s decline is a sad one but it may yet have a happy ending. Early visitors to the islands described the large flocks of nene geese in the interior of Hawaii, but by 1900 a great decline in numbers had occurred and in 1940 the entire population was estimated at 30 to 50 wild birds. Clearing of the land, introduction of such exotic mammals as rats, pigs, dogs, and mongooses, and man himself through hunting—all must share the blame for the nene decimation. Happily, the State of Hawaii has taken vigorous recognition of this situation and a restoration program was begun in 1949. The plan is to study the remaining wild birds to learn how the decimating factors may be controlled. Also nene raised in captivity have been released on Mauna Loa to intermix with the wild flocks, and it is hoped that some day visitors to Hawaii will again be assured of seeing these wonderful geese.

IO Buteo solitarius (also Hawaiian hawk)

DESCRIPTION: 16″-18″. The only hawklike bird to be seen on the islands, except for accidental migrants. This small Buteo has both light and dark color phases. Can be distinguished from the Pueo, Hawaii’s diurnal owl, by a smaller head and more soaring flight.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: Found only on the island of Hawaii. Kilauea—Occasional throughout the park. Individuals are often seen soaring around the forested craters such as Kilauea Iki and Makaopuhi, or in the more open areas such as along the Mauna Loa Strip road.

VOICE: A medium-pitched, but fairly soft, scream.

The io is certainly one of the rarest hawks in the world, as its range is limited to the island of Hawaii, and even here it is not common. It feeds on rats, mice, and large insects and spiders, and occasionally will catch birds, but today birds comprise a minor part of the diet. It tends to be tamer than mainland hawks, perhaps because it has not been harassed as much in recent years, and sometimes you can approach a perched io quite closely. Because of its rodent diet, the io is a very beneficial bird to Hawaii.

CALIFORNIA QUAIL Lophortyx californicus

DESCRIPTION: 9½″-10½″. The distinctive curved head plume identifies this plump quail. Males have a black and white face pattern beneath the brown crown, while females are duller and lack the striking facial pattern. The bill is short and black.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: Introduced from California before 1855 to all major islands. Kilauea—Moderately common along the Mauna Loa Strip and south and west of Kilauea Crater, for example Kipuka Nene. Haleakala—Fairly common on slopes outside the crater up to about 8,000 feet.

VOICE: Both sexes issue a three noted ka-kér-ko, also clucking notes tek-tek, etc.

Although the California quail has been in the islands for a long time, it has not spread much in the park, probably because there is no available open water. In this situation the birds must rely on dewfall, berries, or succulent vegetation for their moisture requirements. They shun heavy forests and do best where small grassy openings are interspersed with dense brush thickets.

CHUKAR Alectoris graeca

DESCRIPTION: 15″. A heavy ground dwelling partridge, brownish with buffy, black, and rusty markings. A black band extends through each eye and joins the lower throat. Distinguished from the quail by lighter color, lack of a head plume, and a red-orange bill.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: Introduced on Hawaii in 1949, on Maui in 1953. Kilauea—Occasional on the slopes of Mauna Loa, descending as far as the rim of Kilauea Crater. Haleakala—Common in open lava slopes inside and out of the crater but especially along the drive to the summit.

VOICE: Chickenlike cackles and clucks, sometimes quite loud.

They are well camouflaged to blend with Hawaii’s gray lava and are not usually seen until one or more flushes from an open or even bare slope. Then they will fly downslope, sometimes for hundreds of yards, land, and again merge invisibly with the somber background.

During the breeding season in late spring and summer the birds pair up; at other times of the year you may encounter coveys of a dozen or more.

RING-NECKED PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus torquatus (also Chinese pheasant)