Hawaiian Birds and Puaiohi Conservation
The Puaiohi is an elusive bird found only on the island of Kaua’i, where it makes its home in the high elevation forests of the Alaka’i Wilderness Preserve. Although currently critically endangered, Puaiohis (Myadestes palmeri) have the potential to become one of the true conservation success stories of the Hawaiian Islands. These small thrushes have an extended breeding season in their stronghold of the Alaka’i Swamp, renesting quickly after both successful and failed nesting attempts. This high reproductive potential has allowed conservationists to establish a captive population of these birds, and then reintroduce them into suitable unoccupied habitat. In 1999, a pair of released birds successfully hatched two chicks, marking a significant milestone in Hawaiian conservation efforts, and raising hopes that Puaiohis will be able to significantly increase their numbers and their range, and lead toward the recovery of a species.
Puaiohis were listed as Endangered in 1967. In 1994, it was estimated that less than 200 puaiohi survived in the wild. In 1995, a breeding population of Puaiohis was discovered, spurring a research and management program focused on two strategies: protecting nests and fledglings from rats by using rat-poison bait stations, and removing first-clutch eggs from nests to create a captive flock (removed clutches are quickly replaced by a new clutch in the wild).
To help the species recover, eggs were taken from the Alaka’i Wilderness Preserve to the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center on Maui, where they could be raised in a protected environment. To date, one hundred eighty-eight of these endangered birds have been bred in captivity and released annually into the forests of Kaua’i over the last 10 years. Prior to release, each Puaiohi is banded for identification and fitted with a radio transmitter. The birds are monitored for 30 days (the lifespan of the batteries) to watch the birds’ movements and determine their survival rate. This milestone in the conservation of native Hawaiian birds is one strategy to ensure that the puaiohi does not go extinct.
At least 21 species of Hawaii’s endemic forest birds have become extinct, and another 26 species are facing extinction. The state-of-the-art Keauhou Bird Conservation Center is also working on projects to see if puaiohi will use rat-proof structures for nesting. The preservation and management of what remains of their native forest habitat is vital if this rich and colorful part of Hawaii’s natural heritage is to endure.
