H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

The Challenge

Since human colonization, 71 bird species have become extinct on Hawai’i; 48 prior to the arrival of Europeans, and 23 since Captain James Cook’s “discovery” of the islands in 1778. Of the 42 remaining endemic taxa, 33 (31 species and 2 sub-species) are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act. Ten of those species have not been observed in 40 years and their status is unknown, though they are likely extinct. Today, Hawai’i supports 157 regularly occuring bird species, only 91 of which (57%) are native. Hawai’i is the global epicenter for imminent extinctions.

The protection of the remaining native birds, including the diverse group of honeycreepers, is the highest bird conservation priority in the United States and a long-term commitment for American Bird Conservancy.

Most Hawaiian bird species are in decline due to habitat loss, predation by non-native predators, and habitat degradation due to introduced ungulates, exotic, invasive plants, introduced plant diseases, and introduced insects. Mosquitoes are among the most deadly of non-native species and are responsible for the spread of avian malaria and avian pox which have caused multiple avian extinctions.

Hawai’i is the epicenter of global extinctions. Efforts to prevent the loss of more bird species comes under Safeguarding the Rarest within ABC’s Conservation Framework

Primary Birds Impacted
42 endemic species, of which 33 are listed under the Endangered Species Act: Palila, ‘Akiapola’au, Maui Parrotbill, Nihoa Millerbird, Hawaiian Petrel, ‘Akikiki, ‘Akeke’e, Omao, Puaiohi, Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Stilt.

Solutions
Hawai’i boasts a concentration of bird species found nowhere else, and ABC wants to ensure their survival. ABC’s Hawai’i Program is a multi-year conservation effort aimed at reversing the decline of native, endangered Hawaiian bird species by:

• Increasing private and government funding for their conservation
• Protecting, managing, or restoring critical bird habitat for species such as the Palila and Maui Parrotbill
• Addressing major threats to bird populations such as the Nihoa Millerbird
• Increasing public awareness and support for Hawaiian bird conservation

Excerpts from article © American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to conserve native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas.