kauaiforestbirds’s profile picture Celebrate puaiohi this month during Makahiki o nā manu nahele! These beautiful birds are endemic to the island of Kaua’i and are critically endangered! #makahikionamanunahele #MoNMN2024 #IOlaNaManuNahele #ConservationPartnerships #EndangeredSpecies #BirdsofHawaii #NativeHawaiianBirds #bird #ResistExtinction #aolemosquitoes #namanunahele #birdsnotrats #puaiohi #kauai
A Kaua’i ‘elepaio enjoying a lunchtime snack- There’s nothing cooler than watching an endemic bird foraging in endemic vegetation (for endemic invertebrates). ‘Elepaio are avid carnivores and are well adapted to living/hunting in the understory where there is a greater abundance of invertebrate life. What these birds lack in size, they make up for with their voracious tendencies. My favorite hunting tactic of the ‘elepaio is to see them purposefully crash into native fern fronds in order to scare out flying insects. As soon as their prey flies out the ‘elepaio collects them out of the air in a matter of seconds. As pictured here eating a native moth caterpillar, the ‘elepaio will also forage on tree trunks- similar to the ‘akikiki or ‘alawī.
The puaiohi is a critically endangered member of the thrush family that is endemic to Kaua’i. It is one of two native thrush species still extant in the Hawaiian islands- the only native frugivorous birds left. Large populations of these once-common fruit lovers played a vital role in Hawaii’s forest ecosystems. Many native plants that once relied on frugivorous species for seed dispersal have suffered massive declines or have gone extinct. Puaiohi are doubly notable for their unique nesting habits- primarily only nesting in vertical, fern-covered cliffs adjacent to heavily forested streams. While this makes for a beautiful sight, it also makes puaiohi very susceptible to predation by invasive rats. This puaiohi nest sits in the middle of a large distribution of rat traps managed by @kauaiforestbirds -and fortunately avoided predation this past year. 1 & 2: Puaiohi nestling and it’s parent (you can see the adult skillfully holding a native fruit in its mouth while calling) 3: The pristine “puaiohi” wall that this nest was found in + some of the gang managing a smile despite a long wet day filled with both beauty and hope, as well as death and disappointment.
I photographed this juvenile puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri aka small Kaua’i thrush) while perched overlooking one of my favorite drainages on the Alaka’i plateau. While puaiohi primarily nest in vertical walls adjacent to streams, they can also be found foraging on the ridges in between stream systems. The puaiohi is secretive yet charismatic- and despite its camouflaged colors often gives its location away with its loud, harsh, and unmistakable call. The puaiohi is critically endangered and only about 400 individuals remain- all in the remote mountains of Kaua’i. Check out the work @kauaiforestbirds (and others) are doing to help battle the threat of extinction that the puaiohi and so many other native Hawaiian species face.
For today's birdtober bird please enjoy this Maunakea ʻelepaio. While not totally white, the ʻelepaio of Maunakea have much more white than their cousins that live in lower elevation wetter areas. Populations of ʻelepaio on Maunakea have declined over recent years, but you can still find them searching for insects in the māmane naio forest on the south-west side of the Mauna. #birdtober #BirdsNotMosquitoes #birdsnotrats #elepaio #endemic
Keeping our forests pristine involves knowing the impacts that invasive species are having on them. Rats in particular can have devastating impacts as they will eat the plants, invertebrates and birds in the forest. Check out the new publication by our own Erika Dittmar and co-authors investigating the diets of rats living in Hawaiian forests: #invasivespecies #DNAbarcoding #birdsnotrats https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007/s10530-023-03159-4?sharing_token=HlhlmqakgbzPCKl7n8hmvPe4RwlQNchNByi7wbcMAY5dnfeFwbZWGhsjc_-1rw1kYNmLIoujqTCqHYNY5Du3V-hXz8riVMSIVUo8J6256zK_XMifNkKucEJomuW42Elpbqx60Scdaem84fsTPxBAK07bY41-fiAgR7WcOqbJfXc=
This species of portulaca (aka purslane, pigweed or little hogweed) is one of the many environmental features we use to monitor for rodent presence in areas where we have removed rats. In dry areas, rats will gnaw on this plant to get water from it. With several upcoming rodent removal projects, we're always keeping our eyes on the ground for new passive monitoring techniques! #restoration #birdsnotrats #botany
puaiohi. #birdsnotmosquitoes #birdsnotrats
puaiohi. #birdsnotmosquitoes & #birdsnotrats. Happy katie?
We are more than grateful for all the support we have received this year! Whether it was testimony, letters and emails, donations, volunteer work or community support, you made our day and we appreciate you and your love for Kaua'is birds! Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving! #KFBRP #conservation #forestbirds #birdsnotmosquitoes #kauai #hawaii #resistextinction #preventingextinction #catsindoors #birdsnotrats #manuoiwi #anianiau #birding #conservation #conservationpartners
Continuing our endemic and endangered theme, this female Hawai’i ‘akepa is found on the Big Island. Described by western scientists on Cook’s third voyage around the world, this species wasn’t “new” — Native Hawaiians used feathers from the ‘akepa and other forest birds to make feathered capes, leis, and other traditional items. Indigenous knowledge of birds and wildlife predates western science, and Pacific Islanders stewarded bird populations at high levels to support this renewable resource. Only now, invasive species, introduced diseases, and climate change have pushed these birds to the edge. • • Banding Code: HAAK ABA Code: 2 Scientific Name: Loxops coccineus • • #birdsofinstagram #birdsofhawaii #forestbirds #birdsnotrats #hawaiianconservation #naturephotography #wildlife_photography #birdsofnorthamerica #photobigyear #thebirdingproject #nature #birds_matter #birds_captures #birds_adored #wildlife #feathers #pacificrimconservation #feather_perfection #ababirding
Those who work in Kīpahulu Valley call this the End of the World. But as I stood on the edge and gazed at all the life stretching out before me, I had to wonder: Is it not the beginning? And isn't that how all life is? Endings always mark beginnings. ~~~ 🍂🌱🌈 *Peep me at the end, after a long day of hiking in the pouring rain, looking like a drowned rat. 😂🌧️🐀* **Disclaimer: This area is not accessible to the public. I was flown into Kīpahulu in a helicopter under a special permit, and then hiked 13 hours through pouring rain, hacking through the rainforest with a machete on a *barely* existent trail, to survey birds along this transect. Please do not attempt! #birdsurveys #ornithology #hiking #Maui #birdsnotrats #birdsnotmosquitoes #conservation #nationalparkservice #fieldwork #rain #waterfalls #oceanview #valley #maukatomakai #ohia #haleakala #reflections #rainbow
Check out how you can get a cool t-shirt (link in bio) and support bird conservation on Kaua'i! #bonfire #Kauai #Hawaii #tshirts #conservation #birds #supportconservation #birdsnotmosquitoes #birdsnotrats #endangered #wildlife #savethebirds #extinctionsucks #fighthebite #repeltheSoundofSilence #kfbrp
One other story that is important to highlight with the Maunakea ʻUaʻu, is just how close we came to losing them. The night after the discovery of the nest, a cat tried to enter the burrow and kill and eat the birds. Fortunately the birds were out on what is called exodus, where the birds head out to the ocean for about a month before they lay their egg. We came that close to losing this bird. Cats are the primary cause of the decline of this once abundant manu, and they almost got one of the last surviving birds on Maunakea. Would have killed it. Fortunately thanks to quick action by @hawaiidlnr and Division of Hawaiian Homelands, traps were put in place, and the cat was removed before the bird returned to the burrow. We and the birds got lucky this time but too often it isn't the case. Every year across Hawaiʻi thousands of native animals are killed by non-native predators. Please keep pet cats inside, do what you can to control predators, and support local organizations that are pushing back against these invasive species. So many of my friends and colleagues get death threats for protecting native species. We need to work on changing this. Saving native species should be the norm, and those who do the hard things to make it happen should be supported. Killing animals is exhausting and terribly difficult, add hate mail and death threats and it's an impossible job. No one enjoys having to take the lives of animals but we cannot allow cats, rodents, and mongoose to continue to eliminate native species. #closecall #invasivespecies #catsindoors #keepcatsindoors #birdsnotrats #birdsnotcats #predatorcontrol #predatorfreehawaii #predatorfree #stoptheslaughter #savethebirds #uau #hawaiianpetrel #Maunakea #ig_hawaii #kukiaimanu #feralcat #endingextinction #extinctionisforever #nativebirds #endemicbirds #manukai #manuhawaii #manuoiwi #seabirds #birdsofhawaii
This is my māmane. Male palila feeding on a green māmane pod. Unfortunately these birds have been in a continuous decline over the years dropping from over 6,000 birds in the 1990s to around 1,000 today. Palila heavily depend on the native tree māmane, and unfortunately browsing by sheep wiped out entire generations of these trees on Maunakea. After 40 years of controlling sheep finally some young trees have grown big enough to supply food for the palila, but predation especially by feral cats and rats, is continuing to limit this species. One thing that could really help out the palila, and increase the populations of popular game birds in the area, is the construction of a predator proof fence. These barriers keep predators out and provide a safe space for birds to raise their young. In Aotearoa (NZ) these fences have proven to be very successful, increasing bird populations by huge margins! Managers in Aotearoa usually combine trapping with aerial poison drops or build predator proof fences. The combination of these efforts have increased the populations of some of their birds by as much as 30 fold! In one area predator control brought the population of the rare mohua from only 14 birds to 444! While trapping is taking place on Maunakea, without combining these efforts with the use of poison bait or by building a predator proof barrier, palila will likely continue to decline. #palila #Maunakea #DOC #hawaii #aotearoa #learnfromtheexperts #predatorprooffenceplease #savethepalila #endemicbirds #predatorfree #predatorfreehawaii #protectmaunakea #birdsnotcats #birdsnotrats #nomoreextinction #savetheforestsavethebirds #birdphotography #birdlovers #kukiaimanu #Planetbirds #pocket_birds #best_birds_on_earth #honeycreepers
This photo was captured by John Woeckener at Liliʻuokalani park in Hilo. This is a big reason why it's not OK to feed feral animals. It puts our native species at risk. In addition to a nēnē eating food that isn't good for it, leaving excess food like this also ends up feeding rats and mongoose further impacting native birds. Nesting attempts in this area by ʻalae keʻokeʻo and nēnē have all failed due to non-native predators. Feeding cats, rats, and mongoose in public spaces also leads to public health risk: hook worms, toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis, MRSA, and various other dangerous pathogens are spread by these animals. All of the park users, beach goers, fisherman, native birds, marine wildlife, and keiki playing here are being put into contact with these diseases. Large areas of Liliʻuokalani park and Wailoa State Park are so full of cat doodoo that you can smell it as you walk/drive by. Feeding feral animals leads to unsanitary conditions, large numbers of unhealthy animals, and puts our communities and native birds in danger. Please stop feeding feral animals, and if you see people who do report them to DOCARE at: (808) 643-3567 #nomoreinvasivespecies #stopthespread #birdsnotrats #birdsnotcats #dontfeedtheanimals #juststop #predatorfreehawaii #alohaaina #kukiaimanu #malamaaina #nene #rarestgooseintheworld #savehawaiianbirds
Sounds of the Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio. All three of the ʻelepaio species sound fairly similar, but if you listen carefully you can hear the subtle differences between the birds. This species is by far the most common of the three and can be found in most of the remaining forest on Hawaiʻi Island. Predators however, have a large impact on these birds and have been driving their decline, especially in lower elevation forest. With predator control however ʻelepaio nest success jumps from about 37% to 52%. That 15% increase can really make a difference changing the trajectory of a species from declining to increasing. More predator control is desperately needed in Hawaiʻi. If you have any native birds on your property or in your yards please consider implementing some at home predator control. Check out the Predator Free New Zealand link in the bio for some great resources for backyard predator control. #predatorfreehawaii #wecandoit #savethebirds #manyhandsmakelightwork #elepaio #HawaiiIsland #endemicbirds #onlyinHawaii #birdsounds #soundsofhawaii #Planetbirds #BirdingHawaii #manuoiwi #hibirds #glimpseofhawaii #HikingHawaii #onomatopoeia #birds #predatorcontrol #birdsnotrats
For the Oʻahu ʻelepaio, I only have photos of the juvenile bird, but in general they look and sound simmilar to the Kauaʻi birds. The Oʻahu species of ʻelepaio is by far the rarest with less than 1,200 still surviving in the wild. Black rats have been one of the leading causes of their decline. Despite their scarcity these energetic birds can still be encountered fairly often on many of the ridge trails and in the valleys of the Koʻolau and Waiʻanae mountains. Unfortunately these birds have declined by over 75% since the 1970s, and today only occupy an estimated 4% of their former range. Despite these sure statistics with localized predator control these birds have been able to increase in population. They are survivors and unlike most other Hawaiian bird species have adapted well to heavily invaded forest. And just like that we are done with the Oʻahu birds. Tomorrow we start the Maui birds. Sounds from Cornell Lab of Ornithology Macaulay Library. #endemicbirds #birdsnotrats #predatorfreehawaii #soundsofhawaii #birdsongs #hibirds #BirdingHawaii #birdphotography #birding #birdsofinstagram #featherperfection #pocketbirds #Planetbirds #birdsonearth #conservation #HikingHawaii #glimpseofhawaii #elepaio #ig_oahu #oahu #endangeredbirds
As a company working in conservation we’re always looking to reduce our impact, and this includes the products we use and the packaging they are shipped in. Thank you to @goodnatureus for fulfilling our request for less packaging! That’s fewer boxes and papers we need to burden our island’s recycling system with. These traps and baits will be used to protect the endangered Hawaiian Petrels and threatened Newell’s Shearwaters from rodent predation, as they begin to settle into the breeding season. #smallsteps #smallfootprint #bettereveryday #conservationhawaii #birdsnotrats #kauaiconservation #wildlifebiologist #goodnature #kauai #hawaii
-Sound on- Today we have the sounds of the last bird endemic to Kauaʻi the puaiohi. Kauaʻi is unique in that it had two native thrushes! The kāmaʻo and the puaiohi. While not nearly as much of a songster as the kāmaʻo the puaiohi makes up for it with a killer eye ring, pink legs, and some very unique behavior. Puaiohi are very dependant on streams, especially steep rocky gulches for building their nests. They build their small cup nests in small puka in the sides of gulches. This makes them particularly sensitive to rats, as the invasive rodents can climb most cliff faces and attack and kill the incubating mothers and eat the eggs and chicks. Fortunately while predation continues to be a major threat to this critically endangered species (~500 birds), they seem to be tolerant to avian malaria. To learn more about these interesting thrushes and to help contribute to the conservation of all of Kauaʻi's birds check out the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project link in the bio. Vocalizations from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Macaulay Library. #puaiohi #myadestespalmeri #turdidae #endemicbirds #wildlifephotography #BirdingHawaii #manuoiwi #BirdsofHawaii #Kauai #Alakai #birdphotography #birdsounds #soundsofhawaii #criticallyendangeredspecies #predatorfreehawaii #birdsnotrats #endextinctionhawaii #nomoreextinction #Planetbirds #birdworld #feather_perfection
Compositon in #green !!! #brussels #wildlife #birdsnotrats #cityparks
Thanks to @kauaiforestbirds for the privilege of running your @goodnatureus trap grid this week! Our crew not only had the pleasure of pig-proofing and maintaining the extensive trap grid, but were able to observe the species these traps benefit most. Kauai’s thrush, the Puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri) nest in pukas on stream walls, and are particularly vulnerable to rat predation. Nesting females sit tight on their eggs and young, making them easy prey for hungry rodents, and with approximately Puaiohi 500 left in the world, every individual counts. Also pictured is likely a Kaua’i endemic snail, Succinea lumbalis, which are also predated by rats. Everybody benefits from #predatorcontrol - by suppressing the rodent population, Forest birds and the habitats they depend on have a better chance of survival. For more information and ways to support the Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project, visit https://kauaiforestbirds.org #goodnaturea24 #birdsnotrats #puaiohi #kauaiforestbirds #hawaiiconservation #invertsofinstagram #birdsofinstagram #conservation #hawaii #kauai #wildliferesearch #endangeredspecies
Three talks and a poster at #vpc2020 ! We love talking traps with other folks in the field. This conference is a great opportunity for us to share our research and learn from other conservation groups. Thanks to the VPC hosts in #santabarbara for putting on a great event, and a special thanks to our crew at home for holding down the fort. #invasivespecies #predatorcontrol #vertebratepestcontrol #conservation #birdsnotrats #nicestclothesweown #countrymouseinthecity #shutyourtrap
Adult and juvenile Oʻahu ʻelepaio. Fortunately for us, ʻelepaio of all three species show pretty good resistance to avian malaria. The biggest threat for these birds is non-native mammalian predation. The Oʻahu bird has shown some adaptation to the threat. Birds build their nests higher in trees and on thinner branches. While this is really exciting, mammals particularly rats are still a major threat to this species survival. Only ~1200 of these birds survive in the wild today and populations have dropped by 50% since the 1990s. On going efforts to control rats in places where ʻelepaio are found has really helped the species, but more resources and new techniques for controlling rats are needed in order to save this species throughout it's range. Adult Oʻahu ʻelepaio by Tee Noris #Oahu #elepaio #endemicbirds #manuoiwi #oahubirds #BirdsofHawaii #endangered #birdsnotrats #nomoreinvasivespecies #predatorfreehawaii #nomoreextinction #extinctionisforever #savethebirds #onlyinHawaii #HikingHawaii #aiealooptrail
You! Yes you! "Please help out my cousins the kiwikiu on Maui by donating to the people who are working to save them"- ʻAkikiki 2019. Kiwikiu and ʻakikiki are the two rarest birds in the Hawaiian islands. Kiwikiu are down to 44-300 birds and ʻakikiki have declined to around 500 birds. Both of these species are being decimated by avian malaria as it spreads into higher elevations. You can help save these species by contributing your time, money, or voice. Check out this link in the bio for more information about the kiwikiu and please donate if you can. #akikiki #endangered #Kauai #endemicbirds #Alakai #honeycreepers #alohaaina #savetheforestsavethebirds #manuoiwi #feildwork #volunteer #workation #KFBRP #birdsnotrats #saveabirdswataskeeter #aolemosquito #hibirds #birdsofHawaii #audubontakeover #planetbirds #feather_perfection #best_birds_of_world #rarebirds #birdphotography #birdsofinstagram
This week some of our crew helped @kauaiforestbirds check their #goodnaturea24 rodent trap grid in the heart of the Alaka’i plateau. This site is above the mosquito line, making it one of the last strongholds of Kauai’s forest birds. Mosquitos transmit avian malaria, one of the major threats these rare species face. Rodents predate nesting adults, chicks, and eggs, making them another major threat to species survival. The video features Kauai’s only remaining thrush the endangered Puaiohi. These birds nest in shallow cavities on cliff walls overlooking the winding streams of the Alaka’i. They’re primarily frugivores, but take insects as well. Be sure to check out https://kauaiforestbirds.org/ to donate and support our endangered forest birds and the amazing crew monitoring and researching them. #birdsnotrats #kauaiforestbirdrecoveryproject #kauaiconservation #fightglobalwarming #invasivespecies #goodnaturenz #kauai #hawaii #wildliferesearch
Just a cute little juvenile Kauaʻi ʻelepaio to lighten up your Monday. This little bird was hopping around on the forest floor and foraging for insects in hōʻiʻo. These birds appear to be resistant to avian malaria and have been increasing throughout much of the remaining forest on Kauaʻi. Look for them, and listen for their squeaky toy like sounds in Kokeʻe State Park. #elepaio #Kauai #Kauaibirds #BirdsofHawaii #hibirds #featherperfection #babybird #endemicbirds #aolemosquito #best_birds_of_world #birdphotography #planetbirds #pocketbirds #BirdingHawaii #hoio #nativeplants #savetheforestsavethebirds #birdsnotrats
This borb of a bird is the critically endangered puaiohi. With 400-600 of these birds in the wild the puaiohi is one of the rarest thrushes in the world. In fact, of 180 species of thrush evaluated by the IUCN Red List, puaiohi is one of four critically endangered thrushes and has the lowest population of any other thrush globally. Hawaiʻi is also home to 3 of the 4 known extinct thrushes in the world: the ʻamaui of Oʻahu, ʻolomaʻo of Maui nui, and the kamaʻo of Kauaʻi. Protecting our remaining thrushes is extremely important because when they eat fruit they spread native plants throughout the forest maintaining the health of our watersheds. The biggest threat to puaiohi has been introduced mammalian predators, especially black rats. In response @kauaiforestbirds has made rat control a high priority for their project in puaiohi hotspots. #puaiohi #ICUN #KFBRP #birdsnotrats #endemicbirds #criticallyendangered #Kauai #Alakai #myadestes #thrush #turdidae #seeddispersal #extinctionisforever #birdworld #planetbirds #feather_perfection #pocketbirds #hibirds #BirdsofHawaii #birdphotography #borb
When you are a caterpillar in the Alakaʻi visions of ʻakikiki probably haunt your every waking hour. For being the spunky charismatic birds that they are, ʻakikiki are also fierce predators. They spend all day everyday creeping over branches and combing through bark and moss in search of their insect prey. Their favorite though, are large caterpillars like the one in these photos. After finding this particular meal this bird flew off to a more sturdy branch, bit off the caterpillars head (at least it was quick), "tenderized" it's meal, and swallowed it down. ʻAkikiki are very efficient though, as soon as this caterpillar was gone, he was off in search of his next meal. akikiki #endangered #Kauai #endemicbirds #Alakai #honeycreepers #alohaaina #savetheforestsavethebirds #manuoiwi #feildwork #volunteer #workation #KFBRP #birdsnotrats #saveabirdswataskeeter #aolemosquito #hibirds #birdsofHawaii #audubontakeover #planetbirds #feather_perfection #best_birds_of_world #rarebirds #birdphotography #birdsofinstagram
The ʻakikiki is one of the most imperiled birds in the world. Found only in remote high elevation forests of Kauaʻi this species is being decimated by introduced diseases carried by highly invasive mosquitoes. Collectively the Hawaiian islands have lost more species of birds than anywhere else on the planet, and without intervention ʻakikiki and several other species of native birds could face extinction in just a few years. Climate change is rapidly accelerating the spread of mosquitoes into native forest bird habitat, and without intervention we will lose these birds forever. The Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project and the Hawaiʻi Endangered Bird Conservation Program have worked together to establish a captive population of ʻakikiki, but in order to save these birds, mosquitoes must be removed from Hawaiʻi. Mosquitoes were first introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1826 spreading quickly through the lowlands and causing the extinction of dozens of native birds. Fortunately experiments in California, Brazil, Australia, and China have been able to reduce mosquito abundance by over 90% using an insect "birth control" called wolbachia. To learn more about wolbachia, check out the link in my bio. Also if you care about native birds please reach out to your elected officials and let them know about it. Saving the birds of Hawaiʻi is a huge undertaking but if we each do a little it will go a long way, mahalo! #akikiki #endangered #Kauai #endemicbirds #Alakai #honeycreepers #alohaaina #savetheforestsavethebirds #manuoiwi #feildwork #volunteer #workation #KFBRP #birdsnotrats #saveabirdswataskeeter #aolemosquito #hibirds #birdsofHawaii #audubontakeover #planetbirds #feather_perfection #best_birds_of_world #rarebirds #birdphotography #birdsofinstagram
ʻAnianiau are the smallest native Hawaiian forest bird. Measuring in at 8 to 10 grams, they weigh less than 2 US quarters! Likely the most common native forest bird on Kauaʻi this species can still be seen in easy to access places in Kokeʻe state park like the Pihea trail and the Kalalau lookout. Keep an eye out for flashes of bright yellow and high pitch multiple note calls. Ani are generalist nectarivores and feed from the flowers of a wide variety of plants as well as on different species of insects. The flowers of different species of melicope such as ʻalani, kukaemoa, and mokihana are some of their favorites. Kukaemoa provides particularly good opportunity to see birds, as you can see here, because the leaves are well above the flowers and don't usually hide the bird from view. #highlighter #anianiau #Kauai #endemicbirds #Alakai #honeycreepers #tinybirds #mokihana #kukaemoa #alani #nativeplants #savetheforestsavethebirds #manuoiwi #feildwork #volunteer #workation #KFBRP #birdsnotrats #saveabirdswataskeeter #aolemosquito #hibirds #birdsofHawaii #audubontakeover #planetbirds #feather_perfection #best_birds_of_world #rarebirds #birdphotography #birdsofinstagram
Off to Kauaʻi for the next few days to look for some of the islands forest birds. Last time I was on Kauaʻi I was fortunate to capture this image of a curious ʻiʻiwi on the Pihea trail. Hopefully more Kauaʻi birds to come! #Kauai #iiwi #PiheaTrail #HikingHawaii #BirdingHawaii #feildwork #conservation #birdsnotrats #KFBRP #birdbanding #planetbirds #pocketbirds #endemicbirds #audubontakeover #best_birds_of_world #islandhop
Our #BirdsNotRats campaign just reopened! If you need a cool t-shirt for #Halloween, here is your chance to order it! All t-shirts are now 100% cotton! https://zcu.io/wJ5Z
Nā manu o Maunakea: Greater 'Amakihi No known Hawaiian name has survived for this species of bird. Last seen in Kaumana in 1902 this bird lived in a small area around the Wailuku river on the lower slopes of Maunakea. This bird was first discovered by western ornithologists in 1892 just ten years before its extinction. While this species may have had a larger range, in recorded history it was endemic to low elevation forest in the Hilo District. Its primary habitat was in the Kaumana area just above Hilo. In the 1890s Kaumana was dense, old growth 'öhi'a forest with scattered koa trees. Most of this forest that once provided a home for the greater 'amakihi was destroyed to make way for sugar plantations in the latter half of the 20th century. About 2x the size of a Hawai'i 'amakihi, greater 'amakihi were a medium sized honeycreeper that were roughly the same shape and size of North American orioles. This bird was primarily an insectivore focusing much of its foraging in the bark of 'öhi'a, but it also favored probing the leaves of 'ie'ie for hiding insects. Because of this birds rarity, and rapid extinction, not much else is known about them. Disease and invasive predators likely caused the extinction of the greater 'amakihi. In addition to this species Maunakea has lost at least 7 other species of birds since the arrival of Europeans, and most of the remaining birds are under threat. Mosquitoes, rats, cats, mongoose, non-native ungulates, and habitat destruction have been and continue to be the primary driver of the loss of the native birds of Maunakea. #protectmaunakea #NativeBirds #endemicbirds #nomoreextinction #extinctionisforever #extinctioncapitaloftheworld #namanuomaunakea #maunakea #honeycreepers #hibirds #greateramakihi #BirdsofHawaii #aolemosquito #birdsnotrats #birdsnotcats #manuoiwi #kaumana #wailuku
Very sad to report that this beautiful female 'elepaio was killed by a rat or a cat while incubating her eggs. She was nesting near the Palila Discovery Trail on Maunakea in a māmane tree. Birds have a hard time avoiding predators on Maunakea because the trees are relatively short, making it easy for invasive mammals like cats and rats to kill our beautiful native manu. In Aotearoa, predator proof fences have been a very successful tool in preventing predators from taking native forest birds and have lead to large increases in population for several rare species. Aotearoa and Australia have constructed dozens of pest proof fences, some of which are more than 10,000 acres, in order to protect their native species. The largest fence built in Hawai'i in order to protect 'ua'u from cat predation is on Maunaloa and is just over 600 acres. The birds of Maunakea are in need of greater protection from invasive predators, and a predator proof fence may be the way to go in order to protect them. This type of fencing would also create a safe breeding area for popular game birds which are also threatened by invasive mammalian predators on Maunakea. #invasivespeciessuck #protectmaunakea #predatorprooffenceplease #namanuomaunakea #elepaio #birdsnotrats #birdsnotcats #extictioncapitoloftheworld #kukiaimauna #BirdsofHawaii #paliladiscoverytrail #Maunakea #alohaaina #huntinghawaii
Happy #fieldworkfriday from the Hallux Eco crew! Everyone got a little wet this week with hurricanes Eric and Flossy approaching, but it’s #alohafriday and those pesky rats at 15D and 001 we’re finally vanquished! This week’s photo credit to our hardworking crew- featuring a beautiful orange ‘ohi‘a bloom! #birdsnotrats #hawaiiconservation #enemynumber001 #goodnature #invasivespecies #kauai #hawaii #airborneaviation #ohialehua
Telespiza finches were once one of the most common species of birds in the main Hawaiian islands. Several species could be found on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i, and Maui. A few additional undescribed species have also been found on Hawai'i Island and Maui. These birds were found primarily in low elevation dry forests but a few species also inhabited high elevation forests. Three species: the palihoa or Nihoa finch, Maui nui finch and the Laysan finch all coexisted on Moloka'i. These birds are recognized as individual species primarily by bill size similar to the ground finches of the Galapagos. Two Telespiza finches survive today in Papahānaumokuākea but the genus has been lost in the main Hawaiian Islands. In the future if mosquito and invasive predator control is successful, these birds can hopefully be returned to the main islands. Pictured are artist renditions of the now extinct Maui Nui finch, and the Makawehi finch. Original artwork by Julian P. Hume from Extinct Birds of Hawai'i #telespiza #palihoa #laysanfinch #nihoafinch #mauinuifinch #makawehifinch #papahānaumokuākea #extinctbirds #BirdsofHawaii #hibirds #endemicbirds #endangered #Honeycreepers #manuoiwi #extinctioncpitaloftheworld #extinctionisforever #aolemosquito #birdsnotrats #adaptiveradiation #onlyinHawaii #Maui #Molokai #Kauai #Oahu #Nihoa #Kauo #Laysan
Little 'elepaio foraging on the ground. Although called flycatchers, 'elepaio forage in many ways besides just catching flying insects. Birds especially young ones like this one will often spend time foraging through leaf litter, moss, or fallen foliage. Unfortunatly this diverse foraging strategy makes 'elepaio susseptable to mammalian predation. Before the introduction of cats, mongoose, and rats it was a good strategy for these birds to forage on the ground, but now that these invasive predators are in Hawai'i it's better for the birds to forage off the ground. As a result overtime it's possible that 'elepaio will spend less and less time on the ground and move away from that important foraging area. #elepaio #NativeBirds #endemicbirds #Maunakea #adaptation #foragingstategy #adaptivebirds #BirdingHawaii #paliladiscoverytrail #naio #leaflitter #babybird #birdsnotrats #nomoreinvasivespecies #manuoiwi
Come hang out with us at Arbor Day Event to learn about the birds and buy some KFBRP swag! #arborday #forthebirds #kfbrp #birdsnotrats #conservation #kauai
'Öma'o framed in the branches of an old koa tree. This bird is pretty recognizable even when all you can see is the outline. 'Öma'o are one of the largest forest birds and look very round when they sit. Also look for the long tail, rounded head, and the large heavyset straight bill. Look for 'öma'o in native forest above 1000 ft in elevation on the east side of Hawai'i island. While still relatively abundant the 'öma'o may be more disease tolerant than other native birds. However, rats and cats are likely major predators of these birds. 'Öma'o often nest low in trees exposing their eggs and young to rats. These birds also fall into the three categories making them most suseptable to cat predation: they spend a significant amount of time on the ground, weigh between 50 and 80 grams, and are island endemics. These three traits leave them highly exposed to mammalian predators. #omao #endemicbirds #nativebirds #forestbirds #frugivore #Hawaiianthrush #birdsofHawaii #hibirds #birdingHawaii #mammalianpredators #ratskillbirds #catskillwildlife #feralcats #invasivespecies #chubbybirds #koa #birdsofistagram #birdsilhouette #birdsnotrats #savethebirds #stopinvasivespecies
Another fun morning in the KFBRP office #hiconservation #kauai #birdsnotrats #honeycreeper #fundraiser #kupu
What kind of nest is that? Unfortunately this large clump of sticks, grass, and even some pieces of an old mop is a rat nest. While most if the time rats build their nests on the ground occasionally they will build them up in trees. There are three species of rats found in Hawai'i: the Polynesian rat, Norwegian or brown rat, and the black rat. Before the arrival of Europeans the Polynesian rat was likely responsible for many of the early bird extinctions. Today the black rat is the most widespread and is one of the main predators of our native bird species. From seabirds to forest birds the black rat has been responsible for as much as 50% of nest failures. This particular rat nest was in the sub-alpine māmane forest, a place thought to have lower rat density. Rodents however, are highly adaptable and they may now be spreading into even these high elevation forests. #birdsnotrats #savethepalila #nomoreinvasivespecies #ratnest #mamane #subalpine #predator #birdkiller #blackrat #Polynesianrat #Norwegianrat #ratskillbirds #extinctioncapitaloftheworld #invasivespecies
Hiking back to the lowlands after deploying our new grid of rat traps. Fingers crossed that come springtime Puaiohi parents have far fewer pleasant nights of incubation and brooding interrupted by big hungry rats #birdsnotrats #hiconservation #kauai #alakaiswamp
Our new rat trapping grid has at least 50 “waterfalls” like this. This particular one has a Puaiohi nest right beside it. #puaiohi #kauai #birding #birdsnotrats #hiconservation #waterfallsaretooloud
Birds Not Rats! We’re a week away from deploying 125 brand new self-resetting rat traps in some exceptional Puaiohi habitat. Non-native rats are a major Puaiohi predator, especially at the nest, and we hope these traps have a meaningful impact for this critically endangered Kaua’i endemic. #birdsnotrats #conservation #conservehi #hawaii #kauai #birds #birding #puaiohi @americanbirdconservancy #goodnaturenz
Here's our very functional and extremely silly-looking A24 Goodnature trap setup for places without trees. Keeping them in the shade to prolong the life of the plastic. #Goodnature #birdsnotrats #NakulaNAR
It has been known for a long time that rats have negative impacts on Hawaiian forest birds. A new paper that just came out highlights these effects on the puaiohi. This paper also provides insights into what management techniques are most important for boosting puaiohi numbers. The best solution according to the authors is limiting rat predation by controlling rat numbers or providing predator proof nest boxes. While puaiohi don't yet readily use human made nest boxes, on going rat trapping by the Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project is helping reduce rat numbers in the puaiohi's range. You can read the paper here: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0198952 #birdsnotrats #KFBRP #puaiohi #endangered #Kauai #endemic #birds #research #nomoreinvasivespecies #avian #wildlife #management
The moho or Hawaiian rail was one if two species of flightless rail found only on Hawai'i island. These birds were once abundant and widespread but today are believed to be extinct. Cats, rats, dogs, and mongoose ultimately caused their extinction. Interestingly Hawaiian ali'i would hunt these birds in order to prove their ability as marksmen. Using pua and pana (bow and arrow) and light weight spears only the most skilled ali'i could capture one of these birds. Fast, only 5.5 inches, and very secretive people would have to be good indeed in order to catch one. #rails #Hawaiian #moho #catchmeifyoucan #extinctionsucks #flightless #birdsnotrats #hawaiiankiwi
Juvenile Kaua'i 'elepaio. These little ones are completely fearless of people. 'Elepaio will come right up to you as you move through the forest. The cinnamon brown of the back, breast, and head distinguish this juvenile from the gray adults. Kaua'i elepaio have been doing well and unlike most Kaua'i birds have been increasing in most of their range. Invasive predators and loss of habitat to toilet-brush (Himilayan) ginger and other invasive plant species continue to be their major threats. #baby #bird #elepaio #Kauai #kokee #alakaiwilderness #KFBRP #Hawaii #waagaurdian #birdsnotrats
I got my #birdsnotrats shirt from @kauaiforestbirds in the mail last night and I’m wearing it even tho it’s hella cold today. #birdersofinstagram #beachlife #pacifica #ootd
This Puaiohi is all about birds, not rats. Since 2015, we have removed over 1000 rats from the core breeding habitat thanks to YOUR support! You can continue to help us maintain our rat trap grid by getting one of our popular "Birds, Not Rats" t-shirts. Check out the link in our bio. #wildlife #conservation #endangeredspecies #birds #birdsnotrats #cameratrap #wildlifephotography
Back by popular demand! Get your KFBRP “Birds not Rats” swag, available until October 31, to support our project and the continued maintenance of our 300+ trap rat grid in the heart of the Alakai where we are working to protect Kauai’s endangered and threatened bird species! http://bit.ly/2ysWBlL #wildlife #conservation #endangeredspecies #forestbirds #birds #birdsnotrats #KFBRP
Infinity and beyond 🌈❤️🦄 #birdsrule #birdsnotrats #conservation #kupuhawaii #malamaaina #alakai #canigobacknow
Still don't have any words to describe the last week of my life. Other than is this really my life?!?!!! #kupuhawaii #herewego #heli #forthebirds #fullrainbow #canteven #conservation #birdsnotrats
My good friend Derek pretending what I'm saying is interesting 😜 #Repost @kauaiforestbirds (@get_repost) ・・・ This week, we are presenting at the Hawaii Conservation Conference on Oahu. Our amazing PhD student, Maria, is presenting on our rat grid at station 7. The conference is open to the public today from 1pm to 5:30pm so if you're on Oahu make sure to check it out at the Convention Center! Hope to see you there! #hawaiiconservationconference #conservehi #hcc17 #sciencerules #wildlife #conservation #hawaii #birdsnotrats #savethebirds
This week, we are presenting at the Hawaii Conservation Conference on Oahu. Our amazing PhD student, Maria, is presenting on our rat grid at station 7. The conference is open to the public today from 1pm to 5:30pm so if you're on Oahu make sure to check it out at the Convention Center! Hope to see you there! #hawaiiconservationconference #conservehi #hcc17 #sciencerules #wildlife #conservation #hawaii #birdsnotrats #savethebirds
When you've been in the forest touching rat traps all day and your hands are dirty... use 'ōhi'a chopsticks. #BirdsNotRats 💀 #ohialove #alohaaina
New Study Supports the Rarity and Limited Range of a Kauai Endemic Bird Once found island-wide, a new study provides the first rigorous population estimate of an enigmatic endangered bird species found only on Kauai. The Puaiohi or Small Kauai Thrush is now at 494 birds. Aside from invasive weeds and mosquito-bourne illness, previous research by Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project has suggested that rat predation on nesting females is likely limiting the Puaiohi population’s ability to grow in size. Successful crowd-funding ( #birdsnotrats) has allowed three hundred self-resetting rodent traps to be deployed in the core of the Puaiohi’s range. Scientists’ efforts to affectively monitor the rare bird were difficult due to the rugged, inaccessible terrain it inhabits deep in Kauai’s Alakai Plateau. This new study helped pinpoint which remote areas the Puaiohi were located in order to move them to a more accessible area where they can be better monitored. In a last ditch effort to save the Puaiohi, KFBRP, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Diegmann Science Services, and University of Hawaii Hilo Hawaii Cooperative Studies Unit worked together develop a special methodology to survey this cryptic bird species in this difficult environment. Video courtesy of Hawaii Department of Land and Resources. See the full video on our Facebook page. #thisweekhawaii
This guy was quite cute for a pigeon... ... #pigeon #fluff #redeye #feather #birdsnotrats #green #purple #beautiful #photography #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #feathered_finds #nuts_about_birds #birdsofinstagram #birdstagram #instagood #instalike #instafollow #nikon #d500 #photooftheday #bird_brilliance #bird #explore #bird #britishbirds #love #cute #dailybird
#Repost @artofbirdology with @repostapp ・・・ Just finished illustrating a new children's book, "A Short Story About the Boy Lae'ula and the Rare Birds at Alaka'i, Koke'e, Kaua'i" in collaboration with @kauai_forest_birds and written by Sally Jo Keahi Manea! The story follows a young boy from Kekaha, Hawai'i who ventures out to see the beautiful forest birds, but runs into some surprising forest denizens along the way... release date TBA, stay tuned folks! #conservation #conservationist #endangered #endextinction #endangeredspecies #outreach #birdsnotrats #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdnerd #birder #bird #wildlife #invasivespecies #species #hawaii #kauai #alakai #childrenslit #childrensbook #art #illustration #vectorart #vector #digitalart #digitalillustration #sumiink #ink
A photo of a juvenile I'iwi that I banded what feels like eons ago! Thx @benjaminmclock for posting! I don't have nearly enough photos from my time in the Alaka'i. #banding #ornithology #iiwi #bird #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdsnotrats #birdnerd #birder #wildlife #conservation
Another book illustration... though the hot pink probably won't make it into publication! One of my favorite things about vector illustration is the ability to play with crazy colors at the touch if a button. #iiwi #birdsnotrats #bird #birds #birdnerd #birdsofinstagram #birder #graphic #minimal #popart #hotpink #kauai #kauaiforestbirds #alakai #vectorart #vector #graphicdesign #illustration #illustrator #digitalart #digitalillustration #art #sumiink #ink
1.3-4.0 billion birds are killed each year by free-roaming cats. Conservation biologists are familiar with this statistic, but many members of the public are unaware of the impact. Help spread awareness and support bird conservation today! 50% of the proceeds from each shirt sold will be donated to American Bird Conservancy. Pick one up on my shop @ etsy.com/birdologydesign (link in bio). #conservation #conservationist #wildlife #birdsnotrats #birdsnotcats #catsindoors #indoorcat #cat #animals #animalwelfare #vegan #design #ink #screenprint #tshirt #tshirtforsale #etsy #gift #giftidea #shirt #drawing #feralcat #americanbirdconservancy #birder #birdsofinstagram
Doing some sketching at the Bishop Museum. O'o, 'Akikiki. They still have the honeycreeper musk! #akikiki #endangeredspecies #birdsnotrats #hawaii #kauai #bird #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdnerd #honeycreeper #illustration #specimen #sketch #sketchbook #ink #brushpen #sumi #sumiink
Crew leader, Kate Freeman, looking mighty happy about checking one of our self-resetting Goodnature rat traps! Get those dirty rats! #birdsnotrats! #conservation #predatorcontrol #endangeredspecies #preventingextinction #goodnature #fieldwork #KauaiForestBirds #KauaiForestBirdRecoveryProject #KFBRP #kauai #hawaii #HI #akekee #akikiki #puaiohi #nativebirds #hawaiianbirds #nativehawaiianbirds #birdconservation #conservehawaii #conservekauai #wildlifebiology #ornithology #conservationbiologists #conservationbiology #honeycreepers #savethebirds #hawaiianhoneycreeper
Students with the ʻImi Pono no ka ʻAinā summer program visited the Keahou Bird Conservation Center last week. They got to see ʻalalā and ʻakikiki, both critically endangered Hawaiian forest birds. The population of ʻakikiki is thought to be less than 500 birds in the wild, so eggs are now being brought into captivity with the hopes of starting a captive breeding program. ʻAkikiki are found only on Kauaʻi. Our sister project, the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project, works to protect ʻakikiki habitiat with projects like #BirdsNotRats.
#BirdsNotRats shirt came today from supporting the Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project! Check out www.kauaiforestbirds.org.