What's Happening in Hawaii
During the 2nd Week in April:
'Alalā are endemic to the island of Hawaii, where they were once numerous and widespread. The last remaining wild birds in recent history were found only in the Kona Forest Unit of Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge. Check out this video to see what kind of work is being done to restore habitat for native species at Hakalau:
The Hawaiian Crow has been legally protected by the state of Hawaii since 1931 and was listed as an Endangered Species in 1967. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prepared a Recovery Plan for the species in 1989, but to date, efforts to increase the wild population through the release of captive-reared birds have been unsuccessful. A Revised Recovery Plan was released in 2009.
The small wild population decreased dramatically, declining from 11 or 12 birds in 1992 to just two individuals as of April 2002. In 2005, the Keauhou and Maui Bird Conservation Centers housed the world’s entire ‘alalā population: 55 individuals. Currently the 'Alala population stands at 67 individuals. 52 are at the Kilauea Bird Conservation Center on Hawai'i, 14 at the Maui Bird Conservation Center, and one at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.
Visit the San Diego Zoo blog to read the story " 'Alala Takes Extraordinary Flight" about a Hawaiian Crow named Kinohi and his recent "flight" across the Pacific.
Check out this video for more about the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center and to see some adorable baby Puaiohi birds being hand-fed. Alala makes a debut in the video at about minute 2:55.
Like other crows, ‘alalā are raucous, gregarious and vocal; young, captive-raised birds often engage in tug-of-war with sticks. Like many corvids, ‘alalā are long-lived and have a life span of 20 or more years. The species’ diet primarily consists of native and introduced fruits, invertebrates, and eggs and nestlings of other forest birds, as well as nectar, flowers and carrion.
A Hawaiian proverb identifies the 'alalā as "a loud-voiced bird," and its name imitates its call. Used as a verb, "'alalā" means to bawl, cry, caw, or scream. All this implies no lack of respect, however. 'Alalā served as 'aumākua of many families on the island of Hawaii.
Click here to hear the call of the 'alala.
To learn more about 'Alalā, visit the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy 'Alalā fact sheet here. Also, see the US Fish and Wildlife Service's webpage about the Hawaiian Crow here.
*The above information was gathered from: the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Audubon Watchlist and "Hawaii: A Calendar of Natural Events," published by Bishop Museum and Kamehameha Schools in 1989. The above image is also from "Hawaii: A Calendar of Natural Events."
The videos in the post were found on YouTube. The second video was posted as part of the Huaka'i Aina Hooilina series posted by Kamehameha Schools.
No comments:
Post a Comment