Birding Hotspots Hawaii

Here, you will find a list of Birding Hotspots in Hawaii arranged not by bird families but island by island so that you can find the birds you want to see on any given island without having to read through information about the islands you do not intend to visit.

About the Birds

The story of Hawaiin birds is a sad one. Many are extinct due to collecting their feathers to make robes for Hawaiian kings, habitat destruction, predation by introduced predators (rats, cats, dogs, mongoose and pigs), and avian flu and avian malaria caused by introduced mosquitoes. Extinct birds include three species of rails, two thrushes, the whole family of Mohoidae (5 insectivorous songbirds), and 19 finches. An additional 32 species are endangered, of which five are probably extinct but not yet confirmed, and one is extinct in the wild (Hawaiin Crow)

The Hawaiian Islands are home to 359 bird species, of which 59 are endemic. (Using the IOC checklist. If you are using the Clements or other checklists, the number might be slightly different).

Birds on Birdtripper’s Birding Hotspots Hawaii

We have eliminated most of the birds for the following reasons:

• 61 are introduced species, mainly from Asia and North America
• 158 are rare and accidental vagrants that arrive on the islands only once in many years, and you are very unlikely to see them.
• 31 that are common on the North American mainland, primarily ducks, sandpipers and gulls.
• 32 are extinct
• 5 are probably extinct
• 1 is extinct in the wild.

That leaves 71 species to look for in Hawaii, of which 28 are endemic. The others are not endemic, but I have included them because they are uncommon on the mainland or because they are majestic raptors or simply because they are beautiful. Birding Hotspots Hawaii will tell you where to look for them.

Pelagic Birds

Of the 71 birds to search for, 26 are pelagic birds (albatross, storm-petrels, petrels and shearwaters). The Newell’s Shearwater and the Hawaii Petrel are the only endemic pelagic species. So, not counting birds that are offshore leaves us with 47 important birds to search for.

Hawaiian Names

Some birds have Hawaiian-language names, and some have both English and Hawaiian names. For those species that have both, we have listed the English name first and the Hawaiian name after in brackets.

The Island of Hawai’i

This is a bit confusing because the name of the largest island is the same as the name of the state but with an apostrophe between the two i’s. Also known as the “Big Island”. Endemic birds to look for on the island are:

Hawaiian Petrel – (‘Ua’u) (EN) – One of two endemic pelagic species in Hawaii. You can look for them at Mauna Loa (a volcano in the centre of the island), but most of them are on the island of Maui.

Newell’s Shearwater – (‘A’0) (CR) – This is the other endemic seabird. They are very scarce on the island of Hawai’i. Search for them on Kaua’i. They are seen during the breeding season from April to November; otherwise, they are seen at sea.

Hawaiian Goose – (Nene) (NT) – Endemic. Scarce. Look for them on grasslands and coastal dunes and the Volcano Golf Course, and other golf courses, as well as along the Chain of Craters Road in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. You have a better chance of finding them on Kaua’i.

Hawaiian Duck – (Koloa) (EN) – You will see many of these ducks, but most are hybrids with Mallards. Pure Koloa is endangered and scarce. The best place to see them is on Kaua’i, but there are a few pure birds on Hawai’i, although you will have difficulty telling the pure birds from the hybrids. Look for them in ponds wherever there are other ducks. The pure birds are endemic, but the population is declining due to hybridization. Both male and female look like the female Mallard. They have a dark tail, white on the female Mallard.

Hawaiian Hawk – (‘lo) (NT) – The only endemic hawk in Hawaii. It is found only on the island of Hawai’i. The Hawaiin name is pronounced “ee-oh”. Look for them at Kilauea Crater Lookout, Thurston Lava Tube and Kipuka Puaulu in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, in valleys and along the coast at Hamakua.

Hawaiian Coot – (‘Alae ke’oke’o) (VU) – In North America and Europe, coots are among the most abundant birds. But like almost all birds in Hawaii, they are threatened with extinction. They are found on most of the Hawaiian islands but are scarce on the island of Hawai’i. Look for them in ponds with ducks on Maui, O’ahu and Kaua’i.

Hawai’i Elepaio – (VU) – A type of Monarch Flycatcher. It is found only on the island of Hawai’i. Look for them at Kilauea Crater Lookout, Thurston Lava Tube and Kipuka Puaulu in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park as well as Pohakuloa State Park, Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge and along Pu’u La’av Road in the Ka’ohe Game Management Area near Mauna Kea.

Hawaiian Thrush (‘Oma’o) – (VU) – A type of thrush found only on the island of Hawai’i. Look for them at Kilauea Crater Lookout, Thurston Lava Tube and Kipuka Puaulu in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

Palila– (CR) – A type of honeycreeper (Hawaiian honeycreepers are classified in the Fringillidae family (Finches)). Critically Endangered and found only in the higher parts of Mauna Kea in Hawai’i. Look for them along Pu’u La’av Road in the Ka’ohe Game Management Area near Mauna Kea. Their decline is due to the loss of the Mamane tree. Learn to identify these trees and look for them on Mauna Kea, where you see these trees. Only ten per cent of these trees remain. The best place to search is the Palila Forest Discovery Trail on Mauna Kea

Hawai’i Amakihi – A type of honeycreeper. One of only two endemic Hawaiian birds not threatened with extinction. It is reasonably common in forested areas in Hawai’i. Also, it is on Maui and Moloka’i, but it is scarce on those islands. Look for them at Kilauea Crater Lookout, Thurston Lava Tube and Kipuka Puaulu in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Also, along Pu’u La’av Road in the Ka’ohe Game Management Area near Mauna Kea.

‘Akiapola’au – (EN) – A type of honeycreeper endemic to the island of Hawai’i. Difficult to find as it lives in the canopy of old-growth and tropical forests at higher elevations. Look for them along the Pu’u La’av Road in the Ka’ohe Game Management Area near Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Hawai’i Creeper – (EN) – A type of honeycreeper endemic to the island of Hawai’i. Search in forested areas at higher elevations. Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge is a good place to look, also Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai.

Hawai’i Akepa – (EN) – A type of honeycreeper endemic to the island of Hawai’i. Endangered and survives only in two or three small areas. Search for them at Halakau Forest National Wildlife Refuge or on the higher elevations of Kau.

‘I’iwi – (VU) – It is a beautiful, unique, red bird with black wings and a long, sharply downcurved bill. A type of honeycreeper found throughout most of the Hawaiian Islands. Pronounced ee-ee-vee. It is reasonably common on Hawai’i and Maui but scarce on other islands.

‘Apapane – The only other Hawaiin endemic bird (see Hawai’i Amakihi above) not threatened. Common throughout most of the islands at higher elevations. Look for them at Kilauea Crater Lookout, Thurston Lava Tube and Kipuka Puaulu in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

Hawaiian Petrel – (CE)- Endemic. Most of them are on Maui, but try Mauna Loa

Maui

Hawaiian Petrel – (‘Ua’u) (EN) – Also on the island of Hawai’i, but you will have better luck finding one on Maui at the Haleakala Crater (only during their breeding season, March to October, otherwise at sea).

Hawaiian Goose – (Nene) (NT) – Endemic. Scarce. Best on Kaua’i. Look for them on grasslands and coastal dunes and in Haleakala National Park.

Hawaiian Coot – (‘Alae ke’oke’o) (VU) – Found on most Hawaiian Islands, but Maui, O’ahu, and Kaua’i are the best islands to search. Try Kanaha Pond in Kealia National Wildlife Refuge and other ponds.

Maui Parrotbill – (CR) – A type of honeycreeper. Very rare. Only about 500 birds remain. Endemic to the island of Maui. Search on Haleakala Volcano in the forest at higher elevations.

Hawai’i Amakihi – Easy to find at Hosner Grove in Haleakala National Park.

Hawai’i Creeper (Maui ‘Alauahio) – (EN) – A type of honeycreeper endemic to the island of Maui. Look for them in the rainforest and at Hosmer’s Grove in Haleakala National Park, as well as Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area.

‘I’iwi – (VU) – A type of honeycreeper found throughout most of the Hawaiian Islands. Pronounced ee-ee-vee. It is a beautiful red bird with black wings. It is reasonably common on Hawai’i and Maui but scarce on other islands. Easy to find at Hosner Grove in Haleakala National Park.

‘Akohekoha – (CR) is endemic to the island of Mai and is the largest honeycreeper on the island. Look for them in the forest on the windward side of Haleakala at high elevations.

‘Apapane – Common throughout most of the islands at higher elevations. Maui has the second largest population after Hawai’i. Easy to find at Hosner Grove in Haleakala National Park.

Moloka’i

The island of Moloka’i is not a good birding destination. All of the birds on Moloka’i are easier to find on other islands. Birds on Moloka’i include Newell’s Shearwater (search for them on Kaua’i), Hawaiin Goose (better on Kaua’i), Hawaiian Coot (best on Maui, O’ahu, or Kaua’i), Hawai’i Amakihi (Scarce on Moloka’i. Better to search for them on the island of Hawai’i. However, you can try Mt Kamakou volcano), ‘I’iwi (found throughout most of the Hawaiian Islands but scarce on Moloka’i. Fairly common on Hawai’i, Maui and Kaua’i. However, you can try Mt Kamakou volcano ), Apapane (Common throughout most of the islands at higher elevations but uncommon on Moloka’i and O’ahu. However, you can try Mt Kamakou volcano).

Lana’i

The small island of Lana’i is not worth going to for birding. All of the birds on Lana’i are easier to find on other islands. Birds on Lana’i include Hawaiian Petrel (best on Maui and Kaua’i), Hawaiian Coot (best on Maui, O’ahu, or Kaua’i), Apapane (Common throughout most of the islands at higher elevations but scarce on Lana’i).

O’ahu

O’ahu Elepaio – (EN) – A type of Monarch Flycatcher, endemic to O’ahu. Population decreasing. Look for them in the Ko’olau and Wai’anae mountains.

O’ahu ‘Amakihi – (VU) – A type of honeycreeper endemic to O’ahu. They are classified as vulnerable, but you should be able to find them at Honouliuli Preserve or Wa’ahila Ridge State Recreation Area or Tantalus, Lyon ARboretum, and ‘Aiea Trails near Honolulu.

Hawaiian Coot – (‘Alae ke’oke’o) (VU) – Found on most Hawaiian Islands. Maui, O’ahu, and Kaua’i are the best islands to search. On ponds.

Laysan Albatross (NT)—A colony of these birds has been established at James Campbell Wildlife Refuge, where several have been relocated from Laysan.

‘Apapane – Common throughout most of the islands at higher elevations. Try Tantalus, Lyon ARboretum, and ‘Aiea Trails near Honolulu.

White Tern – Not endemic but a beautiful bird found only on islands in the South Pacific from Hawaii to Australia. Look along the coast near Honolulu.

Other birds are on the island, but you can find them elsewhere. The ‘I’iwi and ‘Apapane are on O’ahu but are easier to find on other islands.

Kaua’i

Hawaiian Petrel – (‘Ua’u) (EN) – Scarce, but Kaua’i is the second-best island to search for them after Maui.

Newell’s Shearwater – (‘A’0) (CR) – Scarce, but this is the best island to search for them.

Hawaiian Goose – (Nene) (NT) – Scarce, but this is the best island to search for them. Look for them at Molokia’e, Kilauea Point, Koke’e and Hanalei NWR

Hawaiian Duck – (Koloa) (EN) – You will see many of these ducks, but most are hybrids with Mallards. Pure Koloa is endangered and scarce. The best place to see them is on Kaua’i, although you will have difficulty telling the pure birds from the hybrids. Look for them in ponds wherever there are other ducks. The pure birds are endemic, but the population is declining due to hybridization.

Hawaiian Coot – (‘Alae ke’oke’o) (VU) – Found on most Hawaiian Islands. Maui, O’ahu, and Kaua’i are the best islands to search. On ponds.

Kaua’i Elepaio – (VU) – A type of Monarch Flycatcher endemic to the island of Kaua’i. Look for them on the Alakai Plateau, Koke’e State Park, Alaka’i Swamp or Alakai Wilderness Preserve.

Puaiohi – (CR) – This is a small, plain brown and grey thrush endemic to Kaua’i. Rare. The only place to look for them is the Alaka’i Wilderness Preserve above 1.050 metres.

Kaua’i Amakihi – ((VU) – A type of honeycreeper endemic to the island of Kaua’i. Look for them at Koke’e State Park or Alaka’i Swamp, Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Plateau or the Makaleha Mountains.

‘Anianiau – (VU) – A type of honeycreeper endemic to the island of Kaua’i. They once lived in all forested areas of the island but now are found only in the higher elevations. Look for them in the Alakai Wilderness Preserve, Waimea Canyon, and Koke’e State Park.

‘Akikiki – (CR) – This is a type of honeycreeper endemic to the island of Kaua’i. Critically Endangered due to deforestation and invasive species such as rats. The remaining population survives at high elevation rainforest in Alakai Wilderness Preserve and Koke’e State Park. Or try Alaka’i Swamp.

‘Akeke’e – (CR) – This bird is a finch endemic to the island of Kaua’i. Critically Endangered. The remaining population of fewer than 1,000 survive on the Alaka’e Plateau, at Alakai Wilderness Preserve, Waimea Canyon, and Koke’e State Park.

‘I’iwi – (VU) is found throughout most Hawaiian Islands. It is reasonably common in Hawai’i, Maui, and Kaua’i but scarce on other islands. Check Alaka’i Swamp.

‘Apapane – Common throughout most of the islands at higher elevations. Maui has the second largest population after Hawai’i, but Kaua’i is also a likely place to find them. Look for them at Koke’e State Park or Alaka’i Swamp.

The Northwest Hawaiian Islands

The Northwest Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of tiny islands stretching 1,200 nautical miles northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands. The island chain contains the Islands of Laysan, Nihooa, Midway and many others. The islands are a bird sanctuary, a National Wildlife Refuge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a Marine National Monument called Papahānaumokuākea. Currently, there is no public access to the islands. Tours to Midway are currently suspended due to a lack of infrastructure and staff. Hopefully, they will resume in the future. Visiting the other islands requires a permit for research purposes. Statistics about the birds of the islands are provided for information purposes only. For more information, see their website. Papahānaumokuākea

All Islands – non-endemic

Pacific Golden Plover – Although this beautiful bird can be seen in western North America and throughout the coast and islands of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is one of the best places to see it. It is common throughout the islands but less common in summer from May to mid-August.

Bristle-thighed Curlew – This species can be seen on the west coast of Alaska and islands throughout the Pacific. It can be found throughout the Hawaiian islands but is most common on Kaua’i. They are here all year but less in the summer, from mid-May to mid-August. Look for them around Kahuku on O’ahu, Kealia Point on Maui and South Point on Hawai’i.

Bar-tailed Godwit – (NT) – These birds migrate from Alaska to Australia and sometimes stop in Hawaii, especially on the island of O’ahu during spring migration in May and fall migration from mid-August to early September, with a second batch mid-Oct to mid-Nov. They are also present in Europe.

Spectacled Tern (aka Grey-backed Tern) – This tern lives only on islands in the mid-Pacific. Hawaii is a great place to see them. They stop on all islands except the two largest ones of Hawai’i and Maui. They can be seen all year, but sometimes there are a lot and sometimes almost none. Best mid-March to mid-June and again mid-August to end-September.

Pelagic Birds

Laysan Albatross – (NT) – Although not endemic to Hawaii, this bird was named after Laysan Island, where there is a large colony. There is also a large colony on Midway Island. They also nest on the Bonin Islands near Japan, Guadalupe Island and the Revillagigedo Islands in Mexico.

Many non-endemic pelagic birds may be seen flying around the coasts of the Hawaiian Islands or a short distance offshore. Species to watch for include Wilson’s Storm-petrel, Black-footed Albatross (NT), Short-tailed Albatross (VU), Band-rumped Storm-petrel (aka Hawaiian Storm-petre, aka Harcourts’s Storm-petrel. Rare around Hawaii but sometimes seen from April to November), Leach’s Storm-petrel (VU), Tristan’s Storm-petrel (NT), Northern Fulmar, Murphy’s Petrel (NT), Juan Fernandez Petrel (VU), Kermadec Petrel, Herald Petrel, Mottled Petrel, Black-winged Petrel, Bonin Petrel (only in the Northwest Islands), Cook’s Petrel (VU), Stejneger’s Petrel (VU), Wedge-tailed Shearwater (nests on small islets offshore from the main islands, but mainly in the Northwest Islands from March until late Autumn), Buller’s Shearwater (VU), Sooty Shearwater (NT), Short-tailed Shearwater, Flesh-footed Shearwater (NT), Christmas Shearwater (nests on Moku Manu island off O’ahu and on Ka’tula and Lehua islands off Ni’ihau and in the Northwest Islands), and Bulwer’s Petrel (nests on small islets offshore of the main islands and in the Northwest Islands April to October). Many of these birds visit Hawaii only during their breeding season.

A good place to look for them is Aimakapa Road near Kona on the Big Island.

On O’ahu, a good spot to look is Makapu’u Point and the little island of Manawa, which is just off the point.

On Kaua’i go to Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge.

Watch for White-tailed Tropicbirds and Red-tailed Tropicbirds at Kilauea Crater Lookout in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Waimea Canyon and Kilauea Point NWR on Kaua’i. Also Manana and Moloka’i Islands and offshore of O’ahu. Common in the Northwest Islands.

Masked Booby – Common in Central America, the Caribbean and the southeast USA and remote islands around the world, including Hawaii. Present all year but less mid-Oct to mid-Jan. Nests on Moku Manu off O’ahu and Ka’ula Islet off Ni’ihau. Common in the Northwest Islands, rare on the main islands.

Red-footed Booby – You have to see this bird with its big, red feet. It is found in Central America, the Caribbean, Galapagos and remote islands worldwide. Hawaii is one of the better places to see them, second only to the Galapagos. Present all year. Look at Ulupa’u Head on O’ahu and Kilauea Point NWR on Kaua’i. Rare on other main islands.

Great Frigatebird—This bird looks like the common Magnificent Frigatebird, except bigger. It is found on remote islands worldwide, but Hawaii is probably the best place to see it. They nest in the Northwest Islands but are often seen on Moku Manu off O’ahu and in flight over O’ahu.

Sooty Tern – This bird can be seen in the southeast USA, the Caribbean and Australia, but mostly on remote islands. They nest on Moku Manu and Manana Islands off the coast of O’ahu and in the Northwest Islands, less on the two biggest islands and less from mid-Oct to early Feb.

Grey-backed Tern -Nests on Moku Manu off O’ahu, but most nest in the Northwest Islands. Nesting Feb to July and then head out to sea.

Brown Noddy – This bird can be seen throughout Central America, Florida, and the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean Islands. However, Hawaii is one of the best places to find them. They can be found on all islands but less on the two biggest islands of Hawai’i and Maui. Look for them on small offshore islets. They are here all year but less from mid-November to mid-March.

Black Noddy – Found only on islands in the Pacific Ocean and Australia. Hawaii is one of the better places to find them. Found on all islands all months of the year. Look for them around the coast and on small offshore islets.

Blue Noddy (aka Blue-grey Noddy). This ocean-going species is found only on islands in the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii and a few other islands south of the equator are the only places to see them. They nest on Ka’ula Islet off the coast of Ni’ihau and in the Northwest Islands. Mid-July to end-September.

Introduced Species

There is no space to list them all here, but there are many pretty and exciting introduced birds from around the world that are now common in Hawaii. A few of the prettier ones are the Red-billed Leiothrix from China, the Red-whiskered Bulbul from Asia, the Yellow-billed Cardinal and Red-crested Cardinal from South America, and the Red Avadavat from Asia.

Haleakala National Park

Haleakala NP is located on the island of Maui.   There are two campgrounds within the park (the one at Kipahulu is primitive). There are no hotels or concessions. Contact (808) 572-4400

Extinct and Endangered Hawaiian Birds

For information on extinct and endangered Hawaiian birds, click here.

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