Hawaiian Coot

For the longest time, the Hawaiian Coot was a subspecies of American Coots. These birds are endemic to Hawaii are endangered like most other species of birds that are endemic to Hawaii. In comparison to these other Hawaiian species, Hawaiian Coots have significantly greater numbers.

About Hawaiian Coots

Hawaiian Coots prefer most wetland habitats in areas that humans live. These birds are a common sight despite their endangered status. Golf courses and beaches are a couple of places where you might find these birds. Hawaiian Coots indicate the health of Hawaiian wetlands through their continued presence.

These birds also have a special place in Hawaiian folklore, and they are often worshipped as deities. Although this is the case, native Hawaiians were pelting it and eating its flesh for years, until hunting these birds became a punishable offense.

As this bird was previously a subspecies of American Coots, it wasn’t like other endemic Hawaiian bird species. Therefore, information about these birds is limited, and it is mixed with information about American Coots. Don’t these birds seem interesting? Let’s learn more about them.

● Hawaiian Coots Photos, Color Pattern, Song
● Hawaiian Coots Size, Eating behavior, Habitat
● Hawaiian Coots Range and Migration, Nesting

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Hawaiian Coot Color Pattern

Hawaiian Coots and American Coots have almost identical plumages, with only a few differences. They have a distinctive white bill that merges into their frontal shield, sometimes this shield can also be pale blue or buff. Even so, it might appear white from a distance. Rarely, Hawaiian Coots have dark-red shields with some spots around the tip of the bill. Hawaiian Coots with dark-red shields are called Alae Awis by native Hawaiians. Adult bills and frontal shields take longer to develop for juveniles than the rest of the plumage. Some Hawaiian Coots have displayed some white feathers on their underparts, but no birds have completely white underparts.

Description and Identification

It is not very difficult for waterbirds that are permanent residents of Hawaii. Other than Hawaiian Common Moorhens, which are also rails, all other waterbirds that are permanent residents of Hawaii are either Ducks or Geese. Geese and Ducks have a different bill shape from Coots. Also, Hawaiian Common Moorhens have distinctly different plumage from Hawaiian Coots. Their bill is red, and their flanks have white stripes.

American Coots are irregular visitors to Hawaii. It is very challenging to differentiate American Coots and Hawaiian Coots on the field, but if you observe their frontal shield it is possible. The frontal shield of Hawaiian Coots is larger and lighter in color.

Hawaiian Coot Song

Vocalizations of Hawaiian Coots have not been studied in-depth, apparently, a couple of their calls are similar to vocalizations uttered by American Coots. These include shark keek and croaks. Definitive information about this is not available.

Hawaiian Coot Size

Hawaiian Coots are almost of the same size as American Coots. They are 13-16 inches long, and their average weight is 1 pound and 9 ounces.

Hawaiian Coot Behavior

Most behaviors of Hawaiian Coots are identical to the behaviors of American Coots. This includes the foot-splattering take-off flight that is made off the water. Hawaiian Coots behave the same as American Coots during agonistic encounters. This includes frequent chasing and fighting. They splatter, swan, and patrol. These displays have not been studied adequately in Hawaiian Coots. Perhaps, as time passes, we will have more information about these behaviors or Hawaiian Coots.

Hawaiian Coot Diet

Hawaiian Coots might be territorial, but this claim lacks sufficient study. The closest Hawaiian Coots are generally at least 20 feet away from each other. Although, it is more likely that nests are 60 feet apart. Non-breeding Hawaiian Coots form large flocks. Since Hawaiian Coots are being hunted, they are learning defensive behavior. If specific flocks have been undisturbed then they might be alarmed when intruders approach them. If they have been attacked previously, they might vary of most unknown individuals. Predators to Hawaiian Coots are dogs, cats, and mongooses.

To protect their nests from mongooses, Hawaiian Coots place their nests on water. Although this strategy reduces the chances of predation, it does eliminate them. They have recently also started nesting around humans because humans are a smaller threat than mongooses.

Hawaiian Coot Habitat

Hawaiian Coots breed on brackish fishponds, sewage-treatment ponds, canfield reservoirs, freshwater ponds, and flooded taro fields. Some wandering Hawaiian Coots might find themselves on mountain streams and stock tanks, which are at much higher elevations than most of these birds prefer. Hawaiian Coots which inhabit habitats with
coastal ponds sometimes fly out to the sea.

Range and Migration

Hawaiian Coots are endemic to Hawaii. They do not migrate.

Hawaiian Coot Lifecycle

Hawaiian Coots breed seasonally, but recently that has been proven wrong. There is evidence that proves that Hawaiian Coots can nest in any month of the year. Hawaiian Coots perhaps nest opportunistically. Nesting periods might be dependant on rainfall. Hawaiian Coots lay around 1-10 eggs per clutch. These eggs need to be incubated for 25 days.

As of now, 2,000-4,000 Hawaiian Coots exist in the world. All of these reside in Hawaii, and 80% live on Mau’i, Kaua’i, and O’ahu islands. Population fluctuations in these birds are quite common due to rainfall. Although heavy rainfalls might affect the nesting success of that year, it positively affects populations in the subsequent year.

Nesting

Hawaiian Coots build nests on the water surface near emergent vegetation. These nests are on top of bulrush stems, pickleweeds, Indian fleabanes, cattails, and floating algal mats. Nests are never in dense vegetation. Recent nests are in the open. Hawaiian Coots build massive nests out of vegetation. The nests can be about 3 feet thick, and 2 feet in diameter. These nests are mostly partially floating.

Anatomy of a Hawaiian Coot

Hawaiian Coots are medium-size water birds with slightly larger bills than American Coots. These birds have short necks, and medium-sized legs, and tarsi.

Final Thoughts

We could’ve had much more information about Hawaiian Coots if they weren’t previously categorized under American Coots. It is hard to fault ornithologists for this oversight because both these species share tens of similarities.

Perhaps, we will soon know more about Hawaiian Coots. That prospect seems exciting because this endangered species seems pretty interesting.

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 for Identifying Hawaiian Coots

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing Hawaiian Coots are 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.

Hawaiian Coot Stickers

Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and theHawaiian Coot. We sell a monthly subscription sticker pack. The sticker packs have 12 bird stickers. These sticker packs will help your kids learn new birds every month.

Bird Feeders For Hawaiian Coots

There are many types of bird feeders. Bird feeders are a great addition to your backyard. Bird feeders will increase the chances of attracting birds drastically. Both kids and adults will have a great time watching birds eat at these bird feeders. There are a wide variety of bird feeders on the market and it is important to find the best fit for you and your backyard.

Bird HousesFor Hawaiian Coots

There are many types of bird houses. Building a bird house is always fun but can be frustrating. Getting a bird house for kids to watch birds grow is always fun. If you spend a little extra money on bird houses, it will be well worth every penny and they’ll look great.