The Hawaii endangered bird conservation program is an effort to protect and recover native Hawaiian forest birds that are in danger of extinction. Many Hawaiian birds have become endangered due to loss of habitat, predation by introduced mammals, and disease. The conservation program involves multiple strategies to help bring these unique birds back from the brink.
Why is there a need for an endangered bird conservation program in Hawaii?
Hawaii is home to some of the most endangered birds in the world. Over 90 species of Hawaiian birds have become extinct since humans arrived on the islands, accounting for approximately 75% of all bird extinctions in the United States. Currently, over 40 bird species native to Hawaii are listed as endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The main threats facing Hawaii’s forest birds include:
- Habitat loss and degradation due to ranching, agriculture, urbanization, and non-native plants
- Predation by introduced mammals such as rats, mongoose, feral cats, and pigs
- Disease, especially avian malaria transmitted by introduced mosquitoes
Hawaiian birds evolved in isolation over millions of years, without predators or diseases. This makes them especially vulnerable to introduced threats. Without conservation action, many more unique Hawaiian bird species are likely to vanish in the coming decades.
When did efforts to protect Hawaii’s endangered birds begin?
Concern about declining native Hawaiian birds arose more than 100 years ago in the early 1900s. However, the first major efforts to protect endangered Hawaiian birds began in the 1970s with the listing of six species under the federal Endangered Species Preservation Act, a precursor to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Key milestones in Hawaii endangered bird conservation include:
- 1970s – First endangered species listings and habitat acquisition by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- 1980s – Captive breeding programs initiated for multiple species
- 1990s – Release programs for captive-bred birds established on predator-free offshore islands
- 2000s – Expanded habitat fencing and predator control on main islands
- 2010s – Increased use of translocation to establish new wild populations
Conservation efforts have intensified in recent decades with many partnerships between government agencies, zoos, NGOs, and local communities coming together to prevent extinctions.
Which government agencies are involved?
There are two main government agencies leading endangered bird conservation efforts in Hawaii:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Federal agency responsible for implementing the Endangered Species Act including listing species, designating critical habitat, developing recovery plans, and funding conservation projects.
- Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife – State agency that manages natural areas and wildlife sanctuaries, conducts research, propagates native plants, and implements recovery projects.
Other agencies that collaborate on projects include the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Defense, and Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
What recovery strategies are being used?
There are five main recovery strategies being used to bring Hawaii’s endangered birds back from the brink:
- Habitat protection and restoration – Protecting existing habitat from degradation and restoring damaged forests through fencing, ungulate and weed control, and native reforestation.
- Predator control – Controlling rats, feral cats, mongoose, and other invasive mammals in key habitat areas.
- Captive breeding and reintroduction – Rearing birds in captive breeding facilities to establish new wild populations on predator-free islands or fenced reserves.
- Translocation – Moving wild birds from one site to another to establish additional populations and increase range.
- Disease management – Reducing mosquito populations and prevalence of diseases like avian malaria.
Combining multiple strategies is critical for recovery success. For example, captive-bred birds may be released into restored habitat areas where predators have been controlled.
What are some key endangered bird species being helped?
Here are some of Hawaii’s most endangered forest birds receiving focused recovery efforts:
‘Ākohekohe
The ‘Ākohekohe, also known as the Crested Honeycreeper, is a striking black and yellow-orange honeycreeper found only on Maui. Its elaborate crest feathers were once prized by Hawaiian featherworkers. Habitat loss and disease reduced the ‘Ākohekohe to just a few hundred individuals by the 1990s. Aggressive rat control and captive breeding have aided recovery efforts.
‘Alalā
The ‘Alalā, or Hawaiian Crow, is Hawaii’s only surviving native crow. Once abundant on the Big Island, it declined to extinction in the wild by 2002 due to habitat loss and predation. An ongoing reintroduction program aims to reestablish a wild population using captive-bred birds.
Laysan Duck
Listed as Critically Endangered with fewer than 750 individuals in the wild, the Laysan Duck is found only on a remote Hawaiian atoll. After habitat restoration and translocation to a new island, numbers are slowly increasing for this rare duck.
Puaiohi
Restricted to about 200 birds on a single stretch of Kauai, the small Puaiohi is one of Hawaii’s rarest songbirds. A captive breeding program has allowed the release of more than 100 birds since 1993 to boost wild numbers.
Kiwikiu
Also known as the Maui Parrotbill, the Kiwikiu survives only in high elevation rainforest on Maui. Habitat degradation, disease, and predation reduced the population to as low as 300 birds in the 1990s. Conservation measures have since helped numbers recover into the thousands.
What are some key conservation sites and facilities?
Important sites and facilities contributing to endangered bird recovery include:
- Keauhou and Maui Bird Conservation Centers – Captive breeding facilities run by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance housing over 20 endangered bird species.
- Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program – Partnership that operates four breeding facilities across the islands.
- Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge – Protected area on the Big Island for native forest recovery and endangered bird management.
- Hanawi Natural Area Reserve – Pristine rainforest on Maui successfully reintroduced with Kiwikiu and Maui Parrotbill.
- Offshore islands – Predator-free islands such as Mānana Island and James Campbell NWR provide critical release sites.
There are also many state-managed forests, natural area reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries that are part of the conservation effort.
What progress is being made to recover endangered bird populations?
While extinctions have continued, focused conservation measures over the past 50 years have prevented the complete loss of many highly endangered Hawaiian birds. Some examples of progress include:
- Puaiohi numbers have increased from just 200 in 1993 to over 500 wild birds today.
- The Hawaiian Goose or Nēnē has grown from just 30 individuals in 1949 to over 2,800 in the wild.
- The Palila population that declined to as low as 500 in 1990 has increased to around 2,000 birds with habitat restoration.
- The ‘Ākohekohe population increased from only 200 birds in the 1990s to approximately 1,000 birds today.
- Captive breeding has allowed the release of over 140 ‘Alalā to help reestablish a wild population.
While still endangered, targeted conservation efforts are paying off with stabilized or increasing populations for many Hawaiian forest birds. Continued progress will depend on securing adequate funding, maintaining community partnerships, controlling invasive threats, and restoring native habitat.
What are some of the remaining challenges?
Despite progress, major challenges remain to secure the future of Hawaii’s endangered birds including:
- Invasive species – Continuing threat from predators, habitat-modifying ungulates, and disease-spreading mosquitoes across large landscapes.
- Climate change – Potential impacts on native forest habitat and increased spread of diseases like avian malaria to higher elevations.
- Limited funding – Government funding has declined while costs continue to rise for managing threats over large remote areas.
- Biological factors – Small populations with limited genetic diversity may suffer from inbreeding depression.
Targeted research helps identify new solutions while ongoing monitoring tracks population trends and assesses efficacy of current management strategies. Creative partnerships and community engagement remain as important as ever in sustaining recovery efforts in the face of persisting conservation challenges.
What can the public do to support endangered bird conservation in Hawaii?
There are a few key ways the general public can support the effort to protect Hawaii’s endangered forest birds:
- Donate or volunteer for organizations involved in conservation programs like San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, American Bird Conservancy, and DLNR.
- Engage in habitat restoration efforts through volunteer events or native plant nursery days.
- Support increased public investment in endangered species recovery in Hawaii by contacting elected officials and policy makers.
- Reduce mosquito populations by eliminating standing water sources around homes.
- Keep cats indoors and do not transport invasive species to the islands.
- Visit any of Hawaii’s incredible National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, and Nature Reserves that protect endangered birds.
Public interest, engagement, and support for conservation programs will be vital for ensuring the survival of Hawaii’s unique and irreplaceable birds.
Conclusion
The endangered bird conservation program in Hawaii is an ambitious and multifaceted effort aimed at protecting the unique legacy of endemic Hawaiian birds. Through a combination of habitat management, introduced predator control, captive breeding initiatives, and visionary partnerships, over 40 species have been pulled back from the brink despite ongoing threats from invasive species, disease, and habitat loss. Continued success will rely on sustained funding, an engaged public, strategic research, and persistent hard work. But the results thus far give hope that with coordinated statewide conservation action, many of Hawaii’s endangered forest birds can ultimately be recovered and restored to their native forests where their songs once again resonate across the islands.