15 Types Of Birds In Hawaii

Hawaii is a tropical paradise with some pretty unique creatures, especially when compared to other US States. They have several native bird species and many that were introduced from parts of Asia to control pests. Today the island’s bird populations are flourishing among sandy beaches, lush jungles, mountains, and valleys. Discover 15 types of birds in Hawaii and learn about their habitats, diet, nests, and appearance.

Common Myna

Habitat and Range: The common myna is native to Asia and was introduced to Hawaii in 1865 to control armyworm populations. Today they are locally common birds in Hawaii and widespread. They live in open woodlands and around human habitations and may even be considered a nuisance to city buildings.

Features and Coloring: They have brown bodies and black heads with yellow patches behind the eyes.

Diet: Insects, crustaceans, reptiles, mammals, seeds, grains, and fruit

Vocalizations: Croaks, squawks, and chirps

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Nests: Loose stick structures placed in manmade cavities

Nene

Habitat and Range: The Nene, or Hawaiian goose, is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. They are the official state bird. These geese inhabit grasslands, shrublands, lava plains, and coastal dunes.

Features and Coloring: They are medium-sized geese capable of flight. They have brown, buff, and black plumage.

Diet: These herbivores eat leaves, seeds, fruits, and flowers.

Vocalizations: Soft calls

Nests: Scrapes lined with down hidden under dense shrubs

Warbling White-Eye

Habitat and Range: The warbling white-eye has a native range in East Asia but is now common in Hawaii after being introduced to control pest species. They live in forests, open woodlands, and thickets.

Features and Coloring: These birds are pale green, olive, and yellow. And they feature a distinctive white eye ring (hence the name).

Diet: Fruit, insects, and nectar

Vocalizations: High-pitched twitters

Nests: Moss and lichen cups

Laysan Albatross

Habitat and Range: The Laysan albatross is native to the North Pacific, with the Hawaiian Islands accumulating almost one hundred percent of their range. They spend most of their time on the Pacific Ocean but will nest on open grassy islands.

Features and Coloring: These birds are 2 feet long with a 6-foot wingspan. They feature white heads and bodies, black tails and wings, and pink feet.

Diet: Cephalopods, fish, and crustaceans

Vocalizations: Whining, squeaking, and grunting

Nests: They make circular scrapes on sandy islands.

Java Sparrow

Habitat and Range: Java sparrows are native to Indonesia and were introduced to Hawaii in the 1960s. Their preferred habitats include open woodlands, grasslands, and beach forests.

Features and Coloring: They have gray, pink, and white plumage, with red bills and eyering. They are rather large and full-bodied with thick beaks.

Diet: Grains and seeds

Vocalizations: Rapid “chip” calls

Nests: They nest in tree cavities or holes and eaves of buildings

Red-Crested Cardinal

Habitat and Range: The red-crested cardinal is another introduced species to the main Hawaiian Islands. They are native to South America and inhabit dry shrubland and heavily degraded forests.

Features and Coloring: They have bright red heads, crests, and throats. And feature white bodies with gray backs, wings, and tails. They raise their crests when excited. This species is a popular red-headed bird in Hawaii.

Diet: Seeds, insects, and small arthropods

Vocalizations: Sweet, melodious notes

Nests: Open cup in the fork of a tree

House Finch

Habitat and Range: House finches are native to Western North America but have been introduced to the Eastern US and Hawaii. They live on the dry sides of the islands in grasslands and open forests.

Features and Coloring: These small finches have short, thick bills and notched tails. Their plumage is rosy red and streaky brown.

Diet: Seeds, buds, and fruits

Vocalizations: Long, jumbled warbles

Nests: Leaf and stem cup placed in a tree

Maui Parrotbill

Habitat and Range: The Maui parrotbill is endemic to the island of Maui in Hawaii. They live in the tropical rainforests on the windward slopes of the East Maui Volcano. Their range is approximately 19 square miles.

Features and Coloring: They are a large species of Hawaiian honeycreeper featuring yellow, olive-green, ivory, and dark gray plumage. They are one of the popular yellow birds in Hawaii.

Diet: Insects

Vocalizations: Short “chips”

Nests: A cup-shaped lichen nest 40 feet above the forest floor

Zebra Dove

Habitat and Range: Zebra doves are native to Southeast Asia and were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1920s. They are now one of the most abundant species in the state. They live in scrub, farmland, and open country.

Features and Coloring: They are small and slender and feature long tails. They have brown and gray plumage with black and white barring.

Diet: Seeds, insects, and other small invertebrates

Vocalizations: Soft, staccato cooing

Nests: A platform made of leaves and grass and placed in bushes or trees

Hawaiian Hawk

Habitat and Range: The Hawaiian hawk is endemic to Hawaii and restricted to the Big Island during the breeding season. They have wide-ranging habitats, from tree plantations and tropical forests to agricultural areas.

Features and Coloring: These medium-sized birds of prey have two color morphs: dark brown and light brown.

Diet: Small mammals, birds, insects, and lizards

Vocalizations: Shrill, high-pitched calls

Nests: Bulky stick platforms in native trees

House Sparrow

Habitat and Range: House sparrows are found in most parts of the world, including the Hawaiian Islands. They are common around human habitations in cities and towns, but you can also find them in woodlands, forests, and grasslands.

Features and Coloring: These birds are chunky with round heads and short, thick bills. Their plumage is gray, white, black, and chestnut.

Diet: Grains, seeds, and insects

Vocalizations: Simple “cheep” notes

Nests: They stuff holes in buildings (or other structures) with dried vegetation

Rose-Ringed Parakeet

Habitat and Range: The rose-ringed parakeet has native ranges in Africa and India, but they exist in many other parts of the world, including Hawaii. They inhabit grasslands, shrublands, rainforests, and wetlands. You can also find them in cities and suburbs.

Features and Coloring: They are medium-sized parrots with bright green, yellow, and red plumage.

Diet: Fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, and seeds

Vocalizations: Squawking calls

Nests: They line tree cavities with rotten wood

Hawaiian Crow

Habitat and Range: The Hawaiian crow is endemic to Hawaii. However, it is currently extinct in the wild. Reintroduction programs are currently underway. They inhabited dry and mesic forests.

Features and Coloring: They are medium-sized crows with rounded wings and thick bills. They have brownish-black plumage and long throat feathers.

Diet: Insects, spiders, birds, and flowers

Vocalizations: Two-toned screech

Nests: A twig and weed cup placed in a native tree

Crested Honeycreeper

Habitat and Range: The crested honeycreeper is endemic to the island of Maui in Hawaii. They inhabit wet forests on the East Maui Volcano. 

Features and Coloring: They are the largest honeycreeper on the island. They feature glossy black plumage with white stripes and orange and red patches.

Diet: Nectar, fruit, and insects

Vocalizations: Low chuckles and repeated calls

Nests: They place their nest cups in native trees.

White Tern

Habitat and Range: As one of the white birds in Hawaii, the white tern is found across the world’s tropical oceans. They live along the Hawaiian coast and move into woodlands during the breeding season.

Features and Coloring: They are elegant-looking seabirds with long tails and long bills. Their plumage is snow-white with black spots around their eyes and black beaks.

Diet: Small fish

Vocalizations: Harsh, shrill calls

Nests: They nest on coral islands, rocky ledges, or buildings.

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