Kauaʻi field guide
Kauaʻi Birds
Kauaʻi’s bird records span native forest birds, seabirds, waterbirds, introduced species and historical records. Use the illustrated entries to compare common and scientific names, read identification details and follow the sources behind each account.
Occurrence and evidence notes
Occurrence and conservation status are specific to each record and its evidence date. A historical record does not establish that a species is living on the island today. Open a record for its habitat information, threats, conservation context and stated uncertainties.
338 records · Page 1 of 15
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
