Wildlife & Habitat

Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge provides critical nesting, feeding and resting habitat for five endangered water birds.

Ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) - The stilt's Hawaiian name "one standing tall" aptly describes this black and white bird with its long, slender pink legs.

‘Alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot) - Prominent in Hawaiian mythology, the coot can be recognized by its white bill and frontal shield, which contrast with its dark body.

‘Alae‘ula - (Hawaiian moorhen) - Also known as the Hawaiian Gallinule, this elusive waterbird is endemic to Hawai‘i and inhabits the wetlands at Hanalei NWR. The moorhen has a distinct red frontal shield with a yellow tip on its bill and can be seen walking across floating vegetation with its long, un-webbed toes.

Koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck) - Both male and female have orange legs and feet and resemble small female mallards.

Nēnē (Hawaiian goose) - Identified by dark furrows on their cream colored necks, long legs, and reduced foot webbing. Nēnē feed on tender leaves, grasses, and berries. Nēnē were extirpated from Kaua‘i centuries ago. With the escape of captive pairs into the wild in 1982 and active reintroduction efforts, they are now making a comeback.

Shorebirds seen in Hawai‘i are migrants. They breed in Alaska, Canada, and Siberia and spend their winters in the tropics. At Hulē‘ia NWR, they forage at the outlet and mudflats on the refuge, picking invertebrates and small fish from the mud and shallow water. They may also be seen in the fields, foraging for insects.

Kōlea (Pacific golden plover) - Both males and females come back to the same territory in Hawai‘i year after year, and each spring around April 25, they leave their wintering grounds for nesting grounds in Alaska and Siberia. It takes the plovers two full days to reach their destination flying nonstop at approximately 60 mph.

‘Akekeke (Ruddy turnstone) - The ruddy turnstone is named ‘akekeke in Hawaiian for its call - a rapidly repeated trill. These birds are also found in Hawaiian legends as messengers of the gods along with the kōlea and the ‘ulili. Hawaiian chiefs and gods sent these intelligent and strong birds over the open ocean on important assignments.

‘Ulili (Wandering tattler) - In Hawaiian culture, the ‘ulili was one of the sacred messengers and scouts. Likewise, in English, it was nicknamed ‘tattler’ by hunters because it is a good ‘watch-bird,’ alarming all the other birds when hunters or predators are nearby.