A living guide to Kauaʻi

Birds of Kauaʻi

Explore the island’s native and introduced species, habitats, watersheds and conservation work. Each record connects its description, images and sources with the interactive Atlas.

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  African Silverbill

  Euodice cantans

  The African Silverbill (Euodice cantans) is a small estrildid finch, about 10–11 centimeters (4–4.5 inches) long. Adults are sandy-brown above and paler below, with fine dark patterning, a black rump and pointed black tail, and the thick bl

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  Akekee

  Loxops caeruleirostris

  ʻAkekeʻe is a small Hawaiian honeycreeper found nowhere in the world except Kauaʻi. Adults are greenish above and yellow below, with a yellow crown and dark facial mask; females are generally somewhat duller than males. Its compact, cone-sh

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  Akiapolaau

  Hemignathus wilsoni

  ʻAkiapōlāʻau is a highly specialized Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to Hawaiʻi Island rather than Kauaʻi. Its remarkable bill functions almost like two different tools combined in one: the short, stout lower mandible is used to tap and chise

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  Akikiki

  Oreomystis bairdi

  ʻAkikiki, also called the Kauaʻi creeper, is a small Hawaiian honeycreeper found naturally only on Kauaʻi. Adults are subdued gray to olive-brown above and paler below, with a short, slightly curved bill adapted to picking tiny prey from ba

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  Akohekohe

  Palmeria dolei

  ʻĀkohekohe, or crested honeycreeper, is a large and unmistakable Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to Maui. Its mostly black plumage is patterned with orange, yellow, white, gray, and silvery feather tips, and a curled white crest projects forw

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  Amaui

  Myadestes woahensis

  ʻĀmaui, also known as the Oʻahu thrush, was a Hawaiian solitaire endemic to Oʻahu. It is one of the least-known birds in the Atlas: the species is represented historically by an adult and a juvenile collected by naturalist Andrew Bloxam in

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  American Avocet

  Recurvirostra americana

  The American Avocet is a tall, elegant shorebird with very long blue-gray legs, bold black-and-white wings, and a slender bill that curves distinctly upward. During the breeding season the head and neck become warm cinnamon; outside that se

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  American Bittern

  Botaurus lentiginosus

  The American Bittern is a stocky, medium-sized heron whose streaked brown, buff, and white plumage blends almost perfectly with reeds. When alarmed it stretches its neck, points its bill upward, and may sway with the surrounding vegetation,

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  American Pipit

  Anthus rubescens

  The American Pipit is a slender, ground-dwelling songbird with a brown back, pale streaked underparts, a fine bill, and a habit of repeatedly bobbing its tail while walking. Breeding adults can show a pinkish-buff wash below, while nonbreed

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  American Wigeon

  Mareca americana

  The American Wigeon is a medium-sized dabbling duck with a compact body, short bluish-gray bill, and pointed tail. Breeding males have a broad white crown, a green patch sweeping behind each eye, and a gray body with contrasting black rear;

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  Ancient Murrelet

  Synthliboramphus antiquus

  Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Anianiau

  Magumma parva

  Anianiau (Magumma parva) is recorded as a native resident on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Apapane

  Himatione sanguinea

  Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) is recorded as a native resident on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Arctic Tern

  Sterna paradisaea

  Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) is recorded as a migrant or nonbreeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Baikal Teal

  Sibirionetta formosa

  Baikal Teal (Sibirionetta formosa) is recorded as a vagrant on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Baird’s Sandpiper

  Calidris bairdii

  Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) is recorded as a vagrant on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Band-rumped Storm-Petrel

  Oceanodroma castro

  Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma castro) is recorded as a breeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Bar-tailed Godwit

  Limosa lapponica

  Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) is recorded as a migrant or nonbreeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Barn Owl

  Tyto alba

  Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is recorded as a naturalized resident or reintroduced population on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Barn Swallow

  Hirundo rustica

  Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Belted Kingfisher

  Megaceryle alcyon

  Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is recorded as a vagrant on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Bishop’s Oo

  Moho bishopi

  Bishop’s Oo (Moho bishopi) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Black-bellied Plover

  Pluvialis squatarola

  Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) is recorded as a winter visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Black-crowned Night-Heron

  Nycticorax nycticorax

  Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is recorded as a native resident on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Black-footed Albatross

  Phoebastria nigripes

  Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) is recorded as a migrant or nonbreeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Black Francolin

  Francolinus francolinus

  Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus) is recorded as a naturalized resident or reintroduced population on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting

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  Black-headed Gull

  Chroicocephalus ridibundus

  Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presenc

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  Black Kite

  Milvus migrans

  Black Kite (Milvus migrans) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Black-legged Kittiwake

  Rissa tridactyla

  Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Black Mamo

  Drepanis funerea

  Black Mamo (Drepanis funerea) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Black Noddy

  Anous minutus

  Black Noddy (Anous minutus) is recorded as a breeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Black Scoter

  Melanitta americana

  Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Black-tailed Godwit

  Limosa limosa

  Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Black Tern

  Chlidonias niger

  Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) is recorded as a vagrant on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Black-winged Petrel

  Pterodroma nigripennis

  Black-winged Petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis) is recorded as a migrant or nonbreeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Black-winged Stilt

  Himantopus himantopus

  Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Blue-gray Noddy

  Anous ceruleus

  Blue-gray Noddy (Anous ceruleus) is recorded as a migrant or nonbreeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Blue-winged Teal

  Spatula discors

  Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) is recorded as a winter visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Bonaparte’s Gull

  Chroicocephalus philadelphia

  Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) is recorded as a vagrant on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Bonin Petrel

  Pterodroma hypoleuca

  Bonin Petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Brambling

  Fringilla montifringilla

  Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Brant

  Branta bernicla

  Brant (Branta bernicla) is recorded as a vagrant on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Bridled Tern

  Onychoprion anaethetus

  Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Bristle-thighed Curlew

  Numenius tahitiensis

  Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) is recorded as a migrant or nonbreeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Brown Booby

  Sula leucogaster

  Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) is recorded as a breeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Brown Noddy

  Anous stolidus

  Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) is recorded as a migrant or nonbreeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Bryan’s Shearwater

  Puffinus bryani

  Bryan’s Shearwater (Puffinus bryani) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Buff-breasted Sandpiper

  Calidris subruficollis

  Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) is recorded as a vagrant on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Bufflehead

  Bucephala albeola

  Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is recorded as a winter visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Buller’s Shearwater

  Ardenna bulleri

  Buller’s Shearwater (Ardenna bulleri) is recorded as a migrant or nonbreeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Bulwer’s Petrel

  Bulweria bulwerii

  Bulwer’s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) is recorded as a breeding visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Cackling Goose

  Branta hutchinsii

  Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) is recorded as a winter visitor on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  California Gull

  Larus californicus

  California Gull (Larus californicus) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  California Quail

  Callipepla californica

  California Quail (Callipepla californica) is recorded as a naturalized resident or reintroduced population on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting

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  Canada Goose

  Branta canadensis

  Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presence.

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  Canvasback

  Aythya valisineria

  Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) is recorded as a vagrant on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Caspian Tern

  Hydroprogne caspia

  Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) is recorded as a vagrant on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Cattle Egret

  Bubulcus ibis

  Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is recorded as a naturalized resident or reintroduced population on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in 2026.

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  Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

  Pterocles exustus

  Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles exustus) appears in the wider Hawaiian bird catalog, but the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist has no Kauaʻi occurrence code for it. An island-specific record is needed before claiming local presen

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  Chestnut Munia

  Lonchura atricapilla

  Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) is recorded as a naturalized resident or reintroduced population on Kauaʻi in the Bishop Museum's 2017 island checklist. This is a documented island occurrence, not a claim of an individual sighting in