Birds of Maui, a beautiful Hawaiian island with woods, coasts, and volcanoes, is home to a diversity of birds. This article travels Maui’s rich avifauna, with general waterfowl kinds such as honeyeaters, loons (Hawaiian geese), and colorful waterbirds. Bird watchers on Maui have a unique opportunity to see and enjoy the magnificent plumage and beautiful habitats of everything from invasive species to migratory marine species. Additionally, discussions of conservation programs provide insight into efforts to conserve Maui’s unique bird species, ensuring a secure future for these beautiful birds despite environmental challenges.
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Myna
The Nene might be the official state bird of Hawaii, but few sky dwellers are as evocative of the islands as the myna bird. They whistle while you work, pair for life, breed for several months out of the year, hunt grasshoppers, and, with their communal singing, reign as the chattiest Cathys of the avian world. Originally brought to the islands to combat armyworms in the 19th century, you won’t have to search far to spot one of these gregarious birds: Look for the sunshine-yellow crescents under their eyes.
Nene
The Nene isn’t just Hawaii’s official state bird—it’s also exclusive to the islands and considered the rarest goose in the world. Believed to be a relative of the Canada goose, this furrowed-necked mascot was named for its quiet trill. While most Nenes are capable of flight, you’re more likely to see them cruising near ample vegetation. And slow for the signs: Nene Crossings are scattered around the island—those that bike down Haleakala often report seeing Nene as well as all of these special birds. It is a beautiful birds in the Birds of Maui.
Chukar Partridge
Consider them the homebodies of the winged world: as “upland” ground birds, Chukar Partridges are content cruising across the ground and calling out rallying cries that, quite literally, sound like a series of chucks.
Emblematic of unrequited love in Middle Eastern cultures, it’s said that Chukar Partridges are infatuated with the moon. They’re commonly seen on the slopes of Haleakala, where the clear night skies may suggest they’re closer to the object of their undying affection. It is a beautiful bird in the Birds of Maui.
Red-Crested Cardinal
This scarlet-breasted beauty thrives in tropical climes, where it feasts on insects and seeds. They’ve been roaming the Hawaiian Islands since 1930 and have served as a ground-skipping songbird ever since. Fun fact: Those with a black bill are typically teenagers and may act like one too—many adult cardinals bring them food, despite their similarity in size. (mahalo for everyone’s patience while we searched for a more accurate image.). It is a beautiful bird in the Birds of Maui.
Tropical Java Finch
We know why this caged bird sings in Hawaii: It’s mad about rice, which easily goes down as the islands’ most ubiquitous staple. Petite and convivial, Tropical Java Finches have been household centerpieces and the subject of paintings for centuries, often creating tight bonds with their human owners. Out in nature, look for their blush-hued bellies and listen for their distinctive trill, which sounds just like a high-pitched chip. It is a beautiful birds in the Birds of Maui.
Spotted Dove
With its elongated tail and polka-dot necklace, this Chinese starlet travels with an entourage and is often detected by its dramatic displays of flight. Renowned for its unmistakable and oh-so-charming coo, the Spotted Dove was introduced to Hawaii in the late 1800s and has since become one of the most prevalent birds on the islands. As with most ingénues, it gravitates towards human habitations, thereby taking the guess out of the game for avian spectators. It is a beautiful bird in the Birds of Maui.
Cattle Egret
Bright and white, this leggy beauty is often seen strutting near salt marshes or hunting for moths on one of Maui’s many golf courses. Originally brought to the islands by cattle ranchers for agricultural pest control in the late 1950s, Cattle Egrets feast on everything from crickets to toads. But don’t let their fine-winged elegance fool you: due to their rapid expansion and love of the islands, they’ve placed more than a handful of endemic Hawaiian species at risk. It is a beautiful bird in the Birds of Maui.
AE’O
Spot a Hawaiian Stilt? Consider it an auspicious sign: this gangly but graceful bird is currently on the federal list of endangered species. Usually found in wetlands, Ae’os possess spindly, pink legs—among the longest of birds in the world—and slender black necks. Territorial and aggressive, they exhibit one of the smartest strategies to ward off predators: they band together, hop like mad, flap their wings, and let loose a shrill communal cry, disarming humans and enemies alike. It is a beautiful bird in the Birds of Maui.
Gray Francolin
Francolin pheasants, however not inherent to Hawaii, have developed a bulging avian incidence on the islands. Announced in the mid-20th century for leisure hunting, these delightful birds have positively adapted to the lush tropical situation. The most common types in Hawaii is the Gray Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus), familiar with its dappled plumage and a booming, musical call that repeats through the wooded hillsides. Scorn life non-native, they have joined into the system, seeking an assorted diet of seeds, creatures, and undergrowth. Preservation labors are now intensive on empathetic the impression of these announced kinds on native plant life and wildlife, as well as verdict stability to confirm their living with the exclusive and slight Hawaiian biodiversity. On Maui, they are usually found in the lower, drier regions of Haleakala, especially in open areas close to Hotel properties. It is a beautiful bird in the Birds of Maui.
