Irene:

Having spent 16 years in Hawaii as USFWS refuge manager, administrator
and endangered species coordinator, I think I know a little bit about
Hawaiian birds.

Jack Kinter had a good suggestion to get a relatively inexpensive
birding booklet published by the Hawaii Audubon Society titled Hawaii's
Birds. It tells you where to go on the various islands to see native
forest birds, seabirds and introduced birds on the various islands(there
were at least 150 different kinds of birds introduced to Hawaii since
the white man came). Some good: some not so good. This booklet has maps
of various places you may go to see the birds. As Jack mentioned, a copy
should be avaiable at the Bishop Museum or maybe at most bookstores.

If you only going to Maui, visit the Kanaha Pond near the airport to see
some of the endangered waterbirds like the Hawaiian Black-neced stilt,
Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Gallinule (all distinct subspecies strictly
Hawaiian) among other waterbirds as Pacific Golden Plover, Cattle Egret,
etc.. Also can be seen at the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. Both
area have viewing places. Seabirds you may see at various places along
the coasts are Black and Brown Noddy Terns, Tropicbirds, some species of
Boobies, Frigatebirds, maybe an Albatross or two, etc...

If you drive up the top of Haleakala Crater,(about 10,000 ft.
elevation) stop on the way up at Hosmer Grove to see endemic forest
birds like Apapane, Iiwi and if your lucky Maui Parrot Bill, Poouli,
Crested Honeycreeper. Who knows. Also at Park Service Headquarters to
probably see Nene (Hawaiian Goose). Be careful not to exert yourself at
the top because you're in a rarefied atmosphere. Don't run around. Lots
of species of introduced birds like the Mockingbird, Red-cested
Cardinal, Skylarks, Zebra and Lace-necked Doves, etc..

A more expensive book would be Douglas Pratts A Field Guide to Birds of
Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific, but the Audubon book should be
sufficient.

If you are going spend a couple days on Oahu either coming from Maui,
the Bishop Museum is very interesting. Also if you drive around Oahu,
visit the James Campbell N.W. Refuge. Good place to see the afore
mentioned waterbirds and the Koloa (endemic Hawaiian Duck).

If you want to contact the Hawaii Audubon Society, email address is
hiaudsoc at pixi.com They may put you in touch with some of their members
on Maui who might give you the latest information where to go. Have been
a member since 1964.

Anyways, I'm sure you'll see some interesting things.

Gene Kridler
Retired USFWS
Sequim, WA




IRENE POTTER wrote:

> Tweets- Does anyone out there have experience using field guides for
> the birds and places to bird while in Hawaii? I am going to Maui in
> early April. You respond to me at my e-mail address if you
> like. Irene Potter, Tacoma isparrow at msn.com