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Archive 2013 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

moonyguy
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Spent two days hiking for on the slopes of Mauna Kea last week to photograph all endemic forest birds on the Big Island. After 20 hours of carrying 25 lbs of gear at 9000 feet I managed to see/photograph all species including some critically endangered species. Here is the first set of images. Comments welcome.

Mahalo
Vishnu

Palila is critically endangered Hawaiian Creeper. Will go extinct in 5 years.

Palila is critically endangered Hawaiian Creeper on māmane tree.

Hawaiʻi Creeper is an endangered species.

ʻAkepa is the smallest of the honey creepers and is endangered.

ʻAkiapōlāʻau is the endangered Hawaiian woodpeaker honey creeper. Sorry for the poor image as the conditions were not pefect.

Jun 16, 2013 at 11:58 PM

David Leask
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Very nice set Vishnu, well done with these.
David

Jun 17, 2013 at 03:16 PM

Tom Sweeney
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Wonderful set Vishnu.

Jun 17, 2013 at 05:37 PM

lowa2
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Nice images but so sad that they are all endangered!

Is it due to habitat loss?

Charles

Jun 17, 2013 at 05:58 PM

birdied
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Very nice set !

Birdie

Jun 17, 2013 at 06:17 PM

moonyguy
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

lowa2 wrote:
Nice images but so sad that they are all endangered!

Is it due to habitat loss?

Charles

Charles its a combination of events. The Palila for example eats only the toxic seeds of the Māmane tree. However, feral goats and sheep have been eating these plants (leaves are not toxic). So there is not enough food for these birds to thrive and breed. Added to this is the fact that there is drought on part of the Big Island where the last remaining Palila live. So a lot of Māmane are dying. There is a plan to divert some water to irrigate the remaining Māmane trees to save the species but that costs about $250K. This is the only way to buy time apart from killing the goats.

Avian malaria is another issue which has killed a lot of endemic species. Some native endemics such as Elepaio and Apapane have developed some natural resistance to Avian malaria. Most of the endemics on the Big Island are at a higher altitude forest (6500-9000 feet) than on other islands where the highest point is not high enough to keep the mosquitoes out. In Kauai most of the endemics are gone because the highest point is 5243 feet.

Vishnu

Jun 17, 2013 at 06:19 PM

Steve Shinn
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Good images Vishnu, According to local accounts and gov. figures, the news appears to be a little less pessimistic. Three has a been a tremendous effort to remove the goats that have caused this problem and two months ago the green light was given to permanently remove them including the use of aerial hunts. Restoration of the mamane trees whose seeds it eats, are being replanted... meanwhile this and a list of other native birds continues to compete with the foolishness of humans.

Birding on Kauai is still quite nice even if you include those species deliberately planted by bored Hawaiians in the 1930's, Here are a few I got the few hours of shooting I was able to carve from a short family trip http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=1027813

Jun 17, 2013 at 06:21 PM

kmunroe
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

nice ones Vishnu

Jun 17, 2013 at 07:30 PM

moonyguy
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Steve Shinn wrote:
Good images Vishnu, According to local accounts and gov. figures, the news appears to be a little less pessimistic. Three has a been a tremendous effort to remove the goats that have caused this problem and two months ago the green light was given to permanently remove them including the use of aerial hunts. Restoration of the mamane trees whose seeds it eats, are being replanted... meanwhile this and a list of other native birds continues to compete with the foolishness of humans.

Birding on Kauai is still quite nice even if you include those species deliberately planted by bored...Show more →

Very nice set of shots Steve. I hope to be in Kauai next month.

Vishnu

Jun 17, 2013 at 07:36 PM

Steve Shinn
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Thanks for the kind comments Vishnu

I'm sure that you're gonna love it.
You have probably done all of your research but here are a few observations;

The Kilauea lighthouse is usually good for sea birds like tropic birds and boobies. Nenes were all over the place.

Up the Kuamoo Rd a few miles up near the fields can be good for tropic birds nesting in the cliffs as well as egrets etc.

Waimea Canyon is a must for all kinds of birding. I got most of the Apapane and the 'Elepaio were shot from the parking lot at the top of the drive.... even after hiking some of the trails! Stop at the museum at the top of the canyon and get the latest news and a great map.
The cafe serves a fair chili and cornbread. I liked the Portuguese bean soup.

Best of luck, please shoot me an email when you post.

Aloha!

Jun 17, 2013 at 09:32 PM

KINGOFKNGS
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Congratulations on seeing all of these and sorry for bumping an old post, but I'm planning a honeymoon to Hawaii in July. I'd really like to spend a day or two out seeing and photographing the birds. We're still trying to decide which island(s) to visit, but I'd appreciate any input on must visit birding places. Endemics, of course, would be the targets.

Ryan

Jan 09, 2014 at 12:42 AM

moonyguy
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Hi Ryan

Summer is not a great time to see endemics but your best bet would be Big Island. Try and search for Jack Jefferys. He is a personal friend and an excellent photo guide who is retired biologist.

Vishnu

Jan 09, 2014 at 02:17 AM

KCollett
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Very cool set Vishnu! I was hoping to get lucky and see some of these birds when I was there. Ended up not being so lucky, but then I didn't go seeking them out either. That island is beset with too many introduced species, which has made life difficult for a number of endemic species. Thanks for making the effort and for sharing.

Jan 09, 2014 at 08:31 AM

xelas
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

I was stalking these little guys in last August and come home empty hands - my bad luck was that Jack was out of town during my visit. Bring your longest lens. Vishnu, congratulations for excellent photos taken.

Jan 09, 2014 at 11:24 AM

waldr_p
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

Some very interesting birds here, thanks for posting.

Paul

Jan 09, 2014 at 05:10 PM

morris
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Hawaiian Endemic Birds

I love the variety Vishnu. The third is my pick

Morris

Jan 09, 2014 at 06:18 PM


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