Birds in Hawaii

Hawaii’s islands, located in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, are home to a diverse range of flora and animals. Hawaii is home to a variety of distinctive animals, including birds, despite its geographical location and relatively “new” geology.

Hawaii is a wonderful destination for travelers from all over the world, and birders will appreciate its distinct tropical climate, gorgeous beaches, diversified landforms, and unusual position.

The Hawaiian Islands are home to over 350 bird species, including 59 unique birds found nowhere else on the planet. Furthermore, while not native to Hawaii, introduced birds from North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia provide birders with the opportunity to see species from all over the world in one spectacular area.

Hawaii birds of prey 

Hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures are examples of birds of prey. These birds have enormous, powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, as well as strong legs, powerful talons, and excellent vision.

64 of Hawaii’s bird species are or were native to the islands, 130 are vagrants, and 52 are human-introduced. Due to deforestation, illegal shooting, and other threats, Hawaii is home to only one native hawk species, which is already endangered. The Hawaiian Hawk is seen here, along with two other migrant hawks found in Hawaii.

Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Coragyps Atratus – Black Vulture

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Buteo Platypterus – Broad-Winged Hawk

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Megascops Kennicottii – Western Screech Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Eagles in Hawaii

In contemporary times, no resident eagle population has existed in Hawaii, though a White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and two Steller’s Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus pelagicus) have come as vagrants since the late 1970s. Although bald eagles have never been seen in the wild in Hawaii, the state contains more endangered flora and animals than any other in the country.

Bald Eagles can’t and won’t fly such a long distance by themselves. The majority of birds are unable to fly that far. The majority of the birds that now dwell in Hawaii were imported thereafter sickness and non-native predators wiped out the majority of the native birds.

Buteo Platypterus – Broad-Winged Hawk

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Owls in Hawaii

While there aren’t as many owl species in Hawaii as there are elsewhere in the United States, you could have an opportunity to view one. Are you ready to discover more about the two kinds of owls that live in Paradise? Let’s get started!

Many tourists to Hawaii may be surprised to learn that the islands are home to a native owl species. Owls are uncommon in Hawaii.
The native pueo is unique among owl species in that it hunts during the day. Its scientific name is Asio flammeus sandwichensis, and it is widely known as the Hawaiian Short-Eared Owl. The pueo is on the endangered species list. This is largely owing to the loss of its natural environment. It can be found in broad, grassy plains most of the time.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Megascops Kennicottii – Western Screech Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Common backyard birds of Hawaii

Hawaii’s popular backyard birds are a real treat, and because of the state’s unique habitat and low species count, we’re going to mix up the article layout for this state. Rather than breaking them down by season, you’ll find some hard-to-find details about Hawaii’s native birds in this section, so you’ll be better prepared to recognize these unusual species if you ever get the chance to visit this most exotic of the 50 states.

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

Mimus Polyglottos – Northern Mockingbird

Toxostoma Rufum – Brown Thrasher

Passerina Cyanea – Indigo Bunting

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Pheucticus Melanocephalus – Black-Headed Grosbeak

Pheucticus Ludovicianus – Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Cardinalis Cardinalis – Northern Cardinal

Piranga Olivacea – Scarlet Tanager

Woodpeckers in Hawaii

Various birds and animals were unable to reach the island due to its remote and isolated location in the Pacific Ocean. Hummingbirds and woodpeckers are among them. The majority of Hawaii’s biodiversity is endemic, which means that plants, animals, and birds only occur in Hawaii.

When it comes to plants, for example, 89 percent of native species in Hawaii are endemic. The uninhabited character of the area provided the ideal conditions for these plants to flourish. They’re now quite intrusive.

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Best Birdwatching Spots in Hawaii

Bird watching in Hawaii is a fantastic way to pass the time during your visit to the Aloha State. Every Hawaiian Island has its own population of avifauna. Bird lovers will be delighted to learn that Hawaii is home to 285 species of birds that are found nowhere else on the planet.

1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. On the Big Island of Hawaii, this 500-square-mile national park offers a chance to see several native birds
2. Koke`e State Park
3. Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
4. Haleakala National Park
5. Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Other Hawaii birds

Hawaii is home to a diverse range of bird species throughout the world. Despite the fact that Hawaii is an American state, the majority of the birds found there are unique to North America. We’ll look at more birds in Hawaii in this part, including facts and photographs.

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s Warbler

Cardellina Canadensis – Canada Warbler

Setophaga Virens – Black-Throated Green Warbler

Setophaga Discolor – Prairie Warbler

Setophaga Dominica – Yellow-Throated Warblers

Setophaga Coronata – Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga Pinus – Pine Warbler

Setophaga Palmarum – Palm Warbler

Setophaga Caerulescens – Black-Throated Blue Warbler

Setophaga Striata – Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga Pensylvanica – Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler

Setophaga Fusca – Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga Magnolia – Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga Americana – Northern Parula

Setophaga Cerulea – Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga Tigrina – Cape May Warbler

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Setophaga Citrina – Hooded Warbler

Geothlypis Formosa – Kentucky Warblers

Geothlypis Philadelphia – Mourning Warbler

Oporornis Agilis – Connecticut Warbler

Leiothlypis Ruficapilla – Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis Celata – Orange-Crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis Peregrina – Tennessee Warblers

Protonotaria Citrea – Prothonotary Warbler

Vermivora Cyanoptera – Blue-Winged Warblers

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Oxyura Jamaicensis – Ruddy Duck

Parkesia Motacilla – Louisiana Waterthrush

Helmitheros Vermivorum – Worm-Eating Warbler

Mergus Serrator – Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus Merganser – Common Merganser

Lophodytes Cucullatus – Hooded Merganser

Bucephala Clangula – Common Goldeneye

Aythya Marila – Greater Scaup

Aythya Americana – Redhead

Anas Crecca – Green-Winged Teal

Anas Acuta – Northern Pintail

Anas Rubripes – American Black Duck

Anas Platyrhynchos – Mallard

Mareca Americana – American Wigeon

Mareca Penelope – Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca Strepera – Gadwall

Spatula Clypeata – Northern Shoveler

Spatula Cyanoptera – Cinnamon Teal

Spatula Discors – Blue-Winged Teal

Aix Sponsa – Wood Duck

Cygnus Columbianus – Tundra Swan

Cygnus Buccinator – Trumpeter Swan

Branta Canadensis – Canada Geese

Branta Hutchinsii – Cackling Goose

Anser Rossii – Ross’s Geese

Anser Caerulescens – Snow Geese

Phalaropus Lobatus – Red-Necked Phalarope

Phalaropus Tricolor – Wilson’s Phalarope

Tringa Melanoleuca – Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa Semipalmata – Willet

Tringa Flavipes – Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa Solitaria – Solitary Sandpiper

Actitis Macularius – Spotted Sandpiper

Gallinago Delicata – Wilson’s Snipe

Limnodromus Scolopaceus- Long-Billed Dowitcher

Scolopax Minor – American Woodcock

Calidris Mauri – Western Sandpiper

Calidris Pusilla – Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris Melanotos – Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris Subruficollis – Buff-Breasted Sandpiper

Calidris Fuscicollis – White-Rumped Sandpiper

Calidris Minutilla – Least Sandpiper

Calidris Bairdii – Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris Alpina – Dunlin

Calidris Alba – Sanderling

Calidris Ferruginea – Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris Pugnax – Ruff

Arenaria Interpres – Ruddy Turnstone

Numenius Americanus – Long-Billed Curlew

Bartramia Longicauda – Upland Sandpipers

Sterna Forsteri – Forster’s Tern

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Hydroprogne Caspia – Caspian Tern

Sternula Antillarum – Least Tern

Larus Hyperboreus – Glaucous Gull

Larus Fuscus – Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Leucophaeus Pipixcan – Franklin’s Gull

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia – Bonaparte’s Gull

Sayornis Phoebe – Eastern Phoebe

Empidonax Minimus – Least Flycatcher

Empidonax Traillii – Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax Virescens – Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax Flavive – Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher

Contopus Virens – Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus Cooperi – Olive-Sided Flycatcher

Tyrannus Savana – Fork-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Forficatus – Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Verticalis – Western Kingbird

Tyrannus Tyrannus – Eastern Kingbird

Myiarchus Crinitus – Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus Cinerascens – Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

Nyctanassa Violacea – Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Butorides Virescens – Green Heron

Bubulcus Ibis – Cattle Egret

Egretta Tricolor – Tricolored Heron

Egretta Caerulea – Little Blue Heron

Egretta Thula – Snowy Egrets

Ardea Herodias – Great Blue Heron

Ixobrychus Exilis – Least Bittern

Botaurus Lentiginosus – American Bittern

Gallinula Galeata – Common Gallinule

Porzana Carolina – Sora

Charadrius Montanus – Mountain Plover

Charadrius Nivosus – Snowy Plover

Charadrius Vociferus – Killdeer

Pluvialis Dominica – American Golden-Plover

Pluvialis Squatarola – Black-Bellied Plover

Corvus Corax- Common Raven

Corvus Brachyrhynchos- American Crow

Cyanocitta Cristata – Blue Jay

Petrochelidon Fulva – Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon Pyrrhonota – Cliff Swallow

Hirundo Rustica – Barn Swallow

Progne Subis – Purple Martin

Stelgidopteryx Serripennis – Northern rough-winged Swallow

Tachycineta Bicolor – Tree Swallow

Riparia Riparia – Bank Swallow

Turdus Migratorius – American Robin

Hylocichla Mustelina – Wood Thrush

Catharus Guttatus – Hermit Thrush

Catharus Ustulatus – Swainson’s Thrush

Sialia Sialis – Eastern Bluebird

Catharus Minimus – Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Myadestes Townsendi – Townsend’s Solitaire

Sialia Currucoides – Mountain Bluebird

Quiscalus Guiscula – Common Grackle

Euphagus Cyanocephalus – Brewer’s Blackbird

Euphagus Carolinus – Rusty Blackbird

Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed Cowbird

Icterus Galbula – Baltimore Oriole

Icterus Spurius – Orchard Oriole

Sturnella Neglect – Western Meadowlark

Dolichonyx Oryzivorus – Bobolink

Phasianus Colchicus – Ring-necked Pheasant

Bonasa Umbellus – Ruffed Grouse

Meleagris Gallopavo – Wild Turkey

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

Coccyzus Erythropthalmus – Black-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus Americanus – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Aechmophorus Occidentalis – Western Grebe

Podiceps Nigricollis – Eared Grebe

Podiceps Auratus – Horned Grebe

Podilymbus Podiceps – Pied-Billed Grebe

Antrostomus Carolinensis – Chuck-Will’s-Widow

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii – Common Poorwill

Chordeiles Minor – Common Nighthawk

Antigone Canadensis – Sandhill Crane

Recurvirostra Americana – American Avocet

Himantopus Mexicanus – Black-Necked Stilt

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos – American White Pelican

Plegadis Chihi – White-faced Ibis

Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Coragyps Atratus – Black Vulture

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Lanius Borealis – Northern Shrike

Lanius Ludovicianus – Loggerhead Shrike

Baeolophus Bicolor – Tufted Titmouse

Poecile Gambeli – Mountain Chickadee

Poecile Atricapillus – Black-Capped Chickadee

Regulus Satrapa – Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Corthylio Calendula – Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Bombycilla Cedrorum – Cedar Waxwing

Sitta Canadensis – Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Thryothorus Ludovicianus – Carolina Wren

Buteo Platypterus – Broad-Winged Hawk

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Selasphorus Calliope – Calliope Hummingbird

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Selasphorus Rufus – Rufous Hummingbird

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Megascops Kennicottii – Western Screech Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-Headed Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Spizelloides Arborea – American Tree Sparrow

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Chondestes Grammacus – Lark Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Pooecetes Gramineus – Vesper Sparrow

Amphispiza Bilineata – Black-Throated Sparrow

Cistothorus Palustris – Marsh Wren

Mimus Polyglottos – Northern Mockingbird

Toxostoma Rufum – Brown Thrasher

Sturnus Vulgaris – European Starling

Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow

Anthus Rubescens – American Pipit

Icteria Virens – Yellow-Breasted Chat

Passerina Cyanea – Indigo Bunting

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Pheucticus Melanocephalus – Black-Headed Grosbeak

Pheucticus Ludovicianus – Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Cardinalis Cardinalis – Northern Cardinal

Piranga Olivacea – Scarlet Tanager

Sicalis Flaveola – Saffron Finch

Paroaria Capitata – Yellow-Billed Cardinal

Paroaria Coronata – Red-Crested Cardinal