Bird Checklists of the United States

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Hakalau, Hawaii

Endangered Birds

Additional endangered birds have been sighted at Hakalau Forest. The 'o'u, a finch-billed honeycreeper with a yellow head, was last sighted in 1977. This extremely rare bird feeds on forest fruits and aids in the dispersal of native seeds. The nene(Hawaiian goose), the State bird of Hawaii, was recently re-introduced to the refuge and is occasionally seen in the upper elevation grasslands where it feeds on grasses, seeds and berries. The koloa(Hawaiian duck) is sometimes seen on stockponds and puddles. A single 'alae ke'oke'o(Hawaiian coot) was observed on a stockpond at Hakalau in September 1990.

		The endangered palila, one of the larger members of the honeycreeper family, is found only on the upper slopes of Mauna Kea between the elevations of 6,500 and 9,000 feet. It is mostly gray on the back with a white belly, yellow head, and black bill. The palila is a "finch-billed" honeycreeper that feeds mostly on the seeds, flowers, and young leaves of mamane trees.
		The endangered 'alala, or Hawaiian crow, occurs on the forested western slopes of Manuna Loa at mid-elevations. The wild population numbers less than 20. It is similar in size and color to the common crow but has a thicker bill. Fruit, carrion, seeds, and insects are its main foods.

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