Part 5

VOICE: A high clear whee-we-we-we usually uttered as the bird takes flight.

Individuals feed on crabs and other marine life among the rocks. They never appear inland in the park.

WHITE-CAPPED NODDY Anoüs tenuirostris (Hawaiian name—noio)

DESCRIPTION: 14″. A dark gray tern restricted to the rocky coastline. The forehead and crown are lighter gray than the rest of the body.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: The only common bird to be seen flying just off shore. In the park, restricted to the coastline of the Kilauea Section.

Look for these along the ocean at the Kalapana end of the park. They flutter over the water picking up small fish, but usually they stay close to shore. The noddies nest in sea cliffs and caves in this area.

SPOTTED DOVE Streptopelia chinensis (also laceneck or Chinese dove)

DESCRIPTION: 12″. A gray-brown dove with a long rounded tail showing white in the corners, and a broad collar of black with white spots on the neck.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: Introduced before 1900; now common below 4,000 feet on all islands. Kilauea—Fairly common around the crater and at lower elevations such as on the Chain of Craters and Hilina Pali roads. Haleakala—Absent from the park.

VOICE: Typical dove-like coos; often coo-coó-coo.

Like the barred dove, this species does not much penetrate the native rain forest, but rather seems restricted to areas where man has altered the vegetation. Both species feed on seeds and some fruit.

BARRED DOVE Geopelia striata

DESCRIPTION: 8″-9″. Much smaller than the spotted dove and lacks the lacy white neck. Has white outer tail feathers.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: Introduced to the islands in 1922; still spreading on the island of Hawaii since its arrival here in 1935 from Asia. Kilauea—Rare—at elevations below 3,000 feet. Haleakala—Absent from the park.

VOICE: A rapid ringing phrase, higher pitched and faster than for the spotted dove, often wheeédle-de-wer.

The range for this dove on Hawaii is continuing to increase. It is now abundant along the Kona coast and has spread in both directions around the island. Look for it within the park on the Hilina Pali road or on the Kalapana road.

PUEO Asio flammeus (also Hawaiian short-eared owl)

DESCRIPTION: 14″-15″. A medium-sized owl of buffy brown color and with small ear tufts. In flight it appears big-headed and neckless compared to the io.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: Kilauea—Occasional around the crater and in grassy areas on the Mauna Loa Strip. Haleakala—Occasional near meadows inside the crater such as at Paliku; also on the lower slopes, especially just below Park Headquarters. They are frequently seen on the drive up to the park.

VOICE: Rarely heard muffled barking sounds.

You may be surprised to see an owl soaring hawklike over grassy openings in full daylight. However, this Hawaiian race of the mainland short-eared owl is often diurnal. It will hover over one spot until a mouse or rat ventures out into the open, then with a swoop the pueo captures its meal.

SKYLARK Alauda arvensis

DESCRIPTION: 7″. A nondescript buffy, streaked bird with white outer tail feathers found only in open country. The head may appear crested.

PARK DISTRIBUTION: Introduced early to most of the islands. Kilauea—Fairly common in open grassy places, for example on the floor of Kilauea Crater or along the Mauna Loa Strip. Haleakala—Fairly common both inside and out of the crater.

VOICE: Look to the sky when you hear an exceedingly long, high-pitched rolling song. The skylark sings while on the wing and its beautiful music may last for a minute or longer.

Certainly the most remarkable thing about this bird is its song—which it delivers while hovering sometimes hundreds of feet in the air. Just when you think that the lofty music must end, a skylark will change to a new series of phrases and keep this up for another minute or so. Skylarks feed and nest on the ground. Nests attributed to skylarks made entirely of “Pele’s hair” have been found in the Kilauea area. “Pele’s hair” is spun volcanic glass formed during an eruption—a strange material indeed for the construction of a bird’s nest.

CHINESE THRUSH Trochalopterum canorum (also spectacled thrush)

DESCRIPTION: 9″. In the dense wet forests a large, reddish-brown bird with broad white “eye spectacles” can only be this species. The white band around each eye extends backward to the ear. You will probably hear this bird before seeing it.