What's Happening in Hawaii
During the 4th week in April:
Though nests may be found at any time of year, April and May seem to be the peak nesting season for 'alae ke'oke'o, the Hawaiian coot (Fulica americana alai). This native subspecies of the American coot is still seen on all the main islands except Lana'i. On O'ahu and Kaua'i, it shares its pond and marsh habitats with a distant relative - 'alae 'ula, the Hawaiian moorhen (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis).
Seen swimming, the two waterbirds can easily be distinguished by the colors of their foreheads, the coot's being white (ke'oke'o) and the moorhen's bright red ('ula). On land, coots may be recognized also by the partial webbing on their toes.
The Hawaiian Coot is dark slate gray with a white bill and a large frontal shield (patch on top of head). The frontal shield is usually white but can vary from bluish white to yellow to dark blood red. They have white undertail feathers that are seen when swimming or during their courtship displays. Male and female coots look alike. This endemic bird of Hawai`i is smaller than its mainland relatives, measuring 15 inches in length.
For breeding, 'alae ke'oke'o builds a floating nest platform roughly two feet across that sometimes includes a kind of porch for entries and exits. Usually anchored near the edge of a pond, this platform contains a nest cup that rides several inches above water level and, at this time of year, is apt to hold five or six eggs.
Text from "Hawai'i: A Calendar of Natural Events"
published by Bishop Museum and Kamehameha Schools in 1989
and, the US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species website
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