Bird Watching at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, as one can discern from the name, is a national park on the Hawaii island, which is in the state of Hawaii. Two active volcanoes make up the composition of the park- Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. It is 323,431 acres in total and is in Hawaii county.

Scientists use the park to study volcanic developments and how Hawaiian islands were developed. From a tourist perspective, the park provides an experience of volcanic scenery and sneak peeks into the Hawaiian culture that once used to be here, along with rare vegetation.

Major Attractions at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

One of the things that people love doing in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is watching the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Here, the lava lake and the glow coming off it is a unique sight. To do so, one can stand on top of the Kilauea overlook point.

Close to the parking lot of Kīlauea Iki, there is the Thurston lava tube. The walk is 20 minutes, with a well-lit lava tube that appears cave-shaped and tree fern forest. Chain of Craters Road begins from the entrance to the park and gives you an overview of volcanic craters and many scenic areas disappearing into the ocean. It is possible to hike for more than ten days inside the park. If you like challenging routes, the obvious choice is Big Island Hikes.

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Bird Watching at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Up to 286 bird species have frequented the islands and waters of Hawaii. The birds frequenting the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are not huge in number by any means. But there are some bird species found here that are either on the threatened or endangered list.

These include Native Honeycreepers, with at least four different species spotted here. Along with it, we have Nene, Hawaiian Petrel, and Hawaiian Goose. Among these, Nene is even considered the state bird. Considering it is on the threatened list, it gives you a good idea of how dire are birds in Hawaii.

In Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park rainforests, you can also find Native Hawaiian forest birds. For Hawaiian Honeycreepers, the species that are found in abundance is Apapane. Primarily found in highly elevated forests, you can spot them on the strip road of Mauna Loa or in Crater Rim Drive.

Hawai‘i ‘Amakihi falls among the common native status forest birds. They do not bother with migration and choose to feed themselves by relying on nectar and insects. People have spotted them with elevation ranges below 3500 feet.

One of the most beloved and visually impressive birds in the park is I‘iwi. With a long bill, black tail and wings, and plumage that can only be described as vermilion, the species is a native royalty. However, in the park, they do not typically come down to anywhere below 4,500 feet.

10 Birds to See at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

House Finch

House Finches have a bright red head and chest. They live throughout North America. Their population is steady but declined some due to sickness. They make their homes near farms, canyons, and suburbs. They like to eat sunflower seeds, berries, and buds. House Finches sing a lot and like to be around other birds. They lay 4 to 5 eggs at a time and build their nests out of grass, twigs, leaves, and sometimes string and feathers. House Finches migrate in flocks by day.

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egrets are small and white with a yellow bill and legs. These birds are originally from Africa. They first came to North America in 1952. Now that they are in North America, Cattle Egrets can be found at the feet of cattle or riding on their backs. Since being introduced in North America, their population has increased and now appears to be stable. They make their homes near farmland and along highway edges. These birds enjoy eating grasshoppers and other small animals. They lay 3 to 4 eggs and make platform nests in colonies. Cattle Egrets are migratory birds and can be seen migrating south to Central and South America.

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals are a vibrant red color with a crest. They also have a short thick orange bill. Northern Cardinals live mainly in the eastern half of the United States. Their population is steady and has seen an increase during the last century. Northern Cardinals live near thickets, gardens, and woodland edges. They sing a sweet song early in the morning. They like to visit bird feeders and eat sunflower seeds. Northern Cardinals are the state bird of seven states! They make their nests lower to the ground and lay 3 to 4 eggs. They are not migratory birds and like to stay in the same area.

California Quail

California Quails are large and round with a gray body and a head plume. The plume looks like one big feather but is actually 6 feathers overlapping. This Quail lives in California as well as the northwest U.S. As building in coastal areas has increased, the population of California Quail has declined. California Quail make their homes along woodland edges, in parks, and farms. They roam the ground looking for seeds and insects to eat. They lay 10 to 16 eggs and build their nests on the ground. These Quails do not migrate.

Rock Pigeon

Rock Pigeons are blue-gray in color. They live throughout North America. Their population is steady and not at risk of being endangered. They make their homes in cities, farms, and around bridges. Rock Pigeons feed on food thrown away by humans. Rock Pigeons were used in World War I to carry very important messages. They can find their homes from far distances even without using sight. These birds lay 2 eggs, 5 times a year. They build their nests in the same spot each time and sometimes build them in rain gutters and window ledges. Rock Pigeons are not migratory birds.

Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves are graceful brownish pink birds with small heads and tails. You can find these birds throughout North America. Their population is steady with some slight increases recently. They live in open woods, farms, and towns. They perch on telephone wires or other high locations. Their flight is fast and straight. They eat mainly seeds and other plants. Mourning Doves lay 2 eggs at a time but will do this 5 or 6 times a year. They do this more than any other bird. Mourning Doves migrate south in the winter, usually in flocks.

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Cranes are tall, large, and gray with long necks and long legs. They also have red crowns and long bills. They live throughout North America. Sandhill Cranes have made a recent comeback in population. They are not endangered but are definitely being watched. They live in the prairie region of North America. Sandhill Cranes are known for their dancing skills and trumpet sounds. They eat the roots of plants in water. They will also eat insects, frogs, snakes, rodents, seeds, and berries. These birds usually lay 2 eggs in a nest built on the ground. They will sometimes build a nest that floats on water that is anchored to plants. Sandhill Cranes that reside in the north migrate more than their southern counterparts.

American Avocet

American Avocets are white with a black patch on their back. Their heads are a rusty color with a long bill. American Avocets live mainly in the Midwest and western regions of North America. Their population is stable and possibly increasing. They make their homes along beaches, shallow lakes, and prairie ponds. American Avocets eat insects, some seeds, and small crustaceans. Most of these migrate to the coast in the winter.

Horned Puffin

Horned Puffins are black and white with a yellow and red rounded bill. They are a seabird that nests on the islands and coasts of Alaska. Their population in Alaska is abundant but has declined on the islands. These Puffins make their homes on sea cliffs near the ocean. These Puffins enjoy eating fish. They carry their fish crosswise in their bill and can carry up to 65 fish at one time! They only lay 1 egg and build their nests in a burrow underground. Horned Puffins do not migrate, but their patterns are not known, since they are found in different locations.

Arctic Tern

Arctic Terns are a pale gray color with a black cap, red bill, and red legs. They have long, pointed wings when seen in flight. You can find these mainly in northern Canada and also in Antarctica. Arctic Terns have declined in population, but they are not endangered. They eat mostly fish, some crustaceans, and insects. This Tern lays 1 to 3 eggs in a nest on the ground. They make their home along rocky coasts and islands. They migrate offshore.

Final Thoughts

Bird species that live in Hawaii are precious because of how rare they happen to be. More so is the case for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. If you go on a birdwatching tour, make sure to maintain adequate distance and watch the birds from afar with a binocular.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.