Guide to Birding the Hawaiian Islands

Introduction

Books and Guides

Hawaii's Birds, published by the Hawaii Audubon Society, is available at most bookstores, at island airports, or from Hawaii Audubon Society directly, and offers information on both native and introduced birds, as well as information on popular birding locations. A tape of all of the bird calls of Hawai`i is also available from Hawaii Audubon Society.

For more detailed information and directions to good birding locations on all islands, a must-have is Enjoying Birds in Hawai`i, by Douglas Pratt, which is also available at most book stores. Finally, for the most serious birders, there is Birds of Hawai`i and the Tropical Pacific, by Pratt, Bruner and Berret, published by Princeton University Press, and also available at bookstores.

When To Go

For forest birds, the best season is late winter and springtime, though viewing is generally possible year-round. Most seabirds arrive to breed in February and March, and leave by the late summer or fall. The exceptions are the albatross, which breed in winter and spring. Waterbirds can generally be seen year round, while migrants are of course present in early fall and late spring. Wandering Tattlers, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Pacific Golden Plovers and various ducks are the most common wintering birds.

How To Get There *NEW*

Island sections contain directions to the birding sites. Compiled by Ron Walker, January 2007.