Forest bird inventory of the Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
Tweed E, Gorresen MP, Camp RJ, Hart PJ, Pratt TK. 2007. Forest bird inventory of the Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Technical Report 143. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai`i at Manoa. Honolulu
The Kahuku Unit of the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) was surveyed for native and non-native birds from January to September of 2005. Bird habitat comprised of forest, woodland, and grassland was divided into five separate regions, and these were surveyed with variable circular plot count methodology to generate estimates of abundance and occurrence. Sampling coverage was more intensive (i.e. several times more count transects and stations) than in past surveys, for more accurate estimates of range and population size. In addition to point counts, we recorded incidental observations to supplement the survey. Ten native and 14 non-native bird species were detected within the region. The most abundant and widespread native forest birds observed were the `Ōma`o (Myadestes obscurus), Hawai`i `Amakihi (Hemignathus virens virens), `I`iwi (Vestiaria coccinea), and `Apapane (Himatione sanguinea sanguinea). The second largest populations of three endangered forest bird species in Hawai`i—`Akiapōlā`au (Hemignathus munroi), Hawai`i `Ākepa (Loxops coccineus), and Hawai`i Creeper (Oreomystis mana)—were centered in the Ka`ū Forest Reserve and extended into the Kahuku Unit. The detections within the boundaries of the unit now add these endangered species to HAVO. The Hawai`i `Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) shows evidence of a regional population decline. The two native species that use habitat other than forest—Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius) and Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva)—were rarely detected in the study areas. The Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) and Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) were the most abundant non-native species. The remaining non-native species were uncommon to rare and were restricted to either the dry leeward or wetter windward sides of the Kahuku Unit.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Tweed, Erik; Gorresen, Marcos; Camp, Richard; Hart, Patrick; Pratt, Thane
- Date of Issue
- 2007-05
- Publisher
- Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai`i at Manoa
- Units
- HAVO , PACN
- Keywords
- Absence (Biodiversity), Abundance (Biodiversity), Bird Inventory Report, Birds, Distribution (Biodiversity), Exotic/Invasive Species-Animals, Forest birds, Hawaii, Inventory, Kahuku, Maui, NPSpecies, Observations, Presence (Biodiversity), Threatened-Endangered-Sensitive Animals