Staff member Blake Jones shares why Hawaii birds are facing extinction.
The visitors learned from the staff about the main problems that are affecting the wild populations of endemic Hawaiian birds. These are introduced predators (mongoose, rats), introduced diseases (pox, malaria), and habitat degradation/loss (much from feral sheep, goats, and pigs).
There were thought to have been 140 species of birds in Hawaii when Europeans first arrived on the islands. Today, one-half of those are extinct. Of the remaining, about one-half are critically endangered, and many of them are presumed extinct.
Staff member Kara Kneubuhler introduced a tour group to three rare ‘alala in the education aviary.
Few people get a chance to see these birds. The ‘alala are extinct in the wild and there are currently 60 at the KBCC and our sister facility, the Maui Bird Conservation Center. The other species at the KBCC are critically endangered and live in hard-to-reach habitats. For example, Maui parrotbills are found in the remote high-elevation rain forests of Maui, and currently less than 500 remain. Puaiohi live in the Alaka’i Wilderness Preserve of Kauai and prefer habitat with steep ravines. The wild population may be as low as 200 individuals.
The hand-rearing lab window prepared for viewing.
A video allowed the visitors to see some of our field activities including collecting eggs from wild nests and releasing hand-reared birds as well as parts of the incubation and hand-rearing process that very few get to witness. Everyone learned about the tremendous effort put into each egg and chick and got a peek into a hand-rearing lab through a viewing window.
The grand finale of the tour was the ‘Alala Education Aviary, which is home to three ‘alala (Lilinoe, Lokahi, and Kekoa). Many were surprised at how big the birds are; they are larger than many of the crows found on the mainland. Visitors were also even more surprised to find out that such a large animal only weighs about one pound.
We also had the pleasure of hosting four artists from the Big Island. Jack Jeffery, Emily Herb, Elizabeth Miller, and Margaret Barnaby displayed and sold their bird-inspired artwork as the open house guests snacked on refreshments and had the opportunity to ask questions and talk to the staff.
The open house not only gave the public a chance to learn about our facility, but it also gave our staff a chance to share our excitement and passion for conservation of the rare and wonderful birds we work with daily.
Sara Bebus is a research associate at the San Diego Zoo’s Keauhou Bird Conservation Center.
Visit the Hawaii Endangered Bird Program blog section
What a very rewarding experience for your lucky guests. Wish I could have been there too!
The work the Hawaii Bird Project is doing is certainly challenging, but so very important for the future of the Hawaiian bird population. Thank you for all you are doing!
I’ve seen a report online for the past few days saying that $14 million has been allocated by the federal government to fund work on saving the Hawaiian crow from extinction and that The San Diego Zoological Society will be in charge of the work. I’ve been looking for more details but I can’t find any, not even on your website or blogs. Could you provide some details about this?
I am wondering why there are no akiapolaau in captivity for breeding purposes. Given that this bird is truly unique among the world’s bird, I would think it should be a top priority. But abundant congratulations for the wonderful work that you are doing with other Hawaiian birds. I’ve seen some of the commoner Hawaiian birds, but assuming I’ll never get to see the rarities, it warms my heart to know that they are out there.
Aloha, Laurel… thank you so much for your comment. It’s encouraging to know that the public is keeping an eye on the news reports and keeping abreast of what resources are being requested and spent on which projects. A few clarifications on the report that came out in the Honolulu advertiser: there are now 60 birds in the captive flock, divided between the Maui Bird Conservation Center and the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center. The $14 million is not actually in-hand and being spent on the ‘alala; it is the amount that has been budgeted over the next five years to do habitat management as well as support the captive flock.
That amount sounds like a lot, but when you think about that amount over five years, it is just enough to get the recovery efforts underway. There is much to do. Besides managing the captive flock, which continues to grow, the habitat identified for the future releases will need much work to include fencing out the feral ungulates (hoofstock) like goats, sheep and cattle, removal of pigs, removal of introduced predators like dogs and cats, and outplanting the native plants that will provide the ‘alala food as well as understory protection against the io, a natural predator of ‘alala.
The unspoken benefit of this habitat recovery for ‘alala is the benefit of a healthy forest for more than just the ‘alala. A vibrant forest protects the watershed against erosion; it is the sponge that holds the soil which holds the water, and it provides home for all of the other forest birds that are also in need of our protection. Species like Hawaiian akepa, Hawaiian creeper, iiwi, amakihi, apapane, elepaio, and even the noble io.
So, Laurel, we’ve got a long way to go, and we’re just getting started, but as the old proverb says, “The trip of a 1,000 miles begins with the first step,” and we’re just now taking our first steps.
how much of all this research and knowledge is learned from college and how much is learned in the field as you go? what kind of schooling does one need to get into this kind of work? it all sounds sooo interesting, and wonder if you ever have volunteers that work with you? or would they just be in the way and ask too many questions? ( like I am right now? ) sometimes too much of a good thing? anyway, since I couldn’t be at the open-house to ask questions, I’m asking now!!! thanks!
To Stephen Block:
The ‘akiapola’au is a very interesting, unique bird in critical need of conservation efforts. Koa (a native Hawaiian tree species) habitat has been found to be vital to its survival and the species has benefited from habitat restoration projects, such as in Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. The ‘akiapola’au has a single chick at a time and the chick is dependent on its parents for between 4 to 13 months. During this time, the young bird may be learning the species’ complex foraging behaviors and how to use its “Swiss army knife” beak. This species’ slow reproductive rate and prolonged juvenile dependency period, combined with the lack of breeding and nesting information in the wild, make it a particular challenge for a captive breeding program. Additionally, the nests of ‘akiapola’au are particularly difficult to locate and access, so to date it has not been feasible to establish a founder stock for a captive breeding program.
To Nancy from Michigan:
All of the staff working in our program have a bachelor’s degree, most in biology or animal science. Some of the information learned in college classes is helpful, like ethology for observing breeding behavior, embryology for egg management, and physiology and anatomy for veterinary care of the birds. Much of the knowledge used is acquired on-the-job. The best way to prepare is to gain animal care experience in zoo internships, at wildlife rehabilitation centers, vet clinics, etc.
We have interns that come to volunteer for 3 to 6 months at a time and we also have a few island residents that volunteer their time once a week, making bird diets, helping with small construction projects and repairs around the facility, and setting up databases. We are all passionate about the species that we work with and understand that recovering a species takes efforts beyond captive breeding. It is important to have public support for our project and for habitat restoration in order for it to be successful. Questions are good! I love to hear that people are interested in the birds and in their future or interested in volunteering or working in conservation.
I was wondering if you were interested in interns from the workplace readiness “stimulus money” project.
My 16 year old foster daughter is on track to receive one of their jobs (funded through the grant) but most of the jobs are in Hilo and few are with animals. We live in Volcano and thought we’d see if you are in need of helpers.
Thanks! Kris
To Kristin
Many thanks for your inquiry.
I will be in touch by e-mail. It would certainly be an interesting possibility to discuss.
Thanks for sharing this informative post with us . Will visit your blog again.
hi all..
Gosh, we’re up against the wall..Please help, even if you don’t
comment..although words do help.
We’re trying to save a bird habitat, sanctuary,and tourist attraction..Big
business always finds ways when its suits some fatcat ..Time is short..but
we try! Nature and natural resources are an international thing..These birds
that nest in the quarry, fly across the oceans, to lands far away..It may
seem insignificant, but when a habitat dies, its never the same..Someone
somewhere may not see the same birds again…it could even be you, wondering
why some birds don’t come around anymore..they could be ours!
In my ignorance i take it that the KBCC is not generally open to the public. Can you confirm? I’ll be on the Big Island this wkend (7/31-8/3) & would like to visit the KBCC. If the Center itself is not open the public are there any facilities/educational signs/materials that are outside the Center? I’m trying to ask if a trip to the Center is worth the trouble even if the Center isn’t open.
Hi Neil
Unfortunately KBCC is not open to the public (except on these special open house days). However, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, just down the road in Volcano, has a visitor center which can hopefully provide you with some useful information, as well as some sightings of several species of Hawaiian birds.
Enjoy the Big Island and its wildlife.
Aloha KBCC staff,
I’m wondering if there will be an open house this December? Two avid hikers and bird watchers here would love to visit..
Moderator’s note: Yes! Saturday, December 5.
It’s December already, and I too would like to know if there is an open house soon. Is there a local website for KBCC? I dont’ want to miss it this year.
Mahalo Nui Loa!
Cathrine
Moderator’s note: It is Saturday, December 5.
Aloha KBCC,
Regretfully I missed last year’s open house at Keauhou, and am wondering if there will there be another one this year?
Mahalo,
Ben