Why has Hawaii lost so many birds?

Remaining birds such as the 'Akikiki, 'I'iwi, and Kiwikiu face multiple threats, ranging from loss of their feeding and nesting areas to direct predation by invasive species. Mosquito-borne diseases have further decimated populations of Hawaiian birds.



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Remaining birds such as the 'Akikiki, 'I'iwi, and Kiwikiu face multiple threats, ranging from loss of their feeding and nesting areas to direct predation by invasive species. Mosquito-borne diseases have further decimated populations of Hawaiian birds.

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That old terminator habitat destruction, set in motion by the farming methods of Polynesian and Europeans alike, also added to the death toll. So did the introduction of non-native species that competed for resources with, and sometimes preyed on, indigenous birds.

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Key threats to the remaining species include: habitat destruction and degradation by humans and introduced ungulates, non-native diseases and predators (feral cats, barn owls, rats, and mongoose), and habitat-altering invasive plants.

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The Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) is a member of the Columbinae family and is native to Southeast Asia. It was first introduced to Hawaii in 1922. It is now considered the most widely distributed and one of the most common birds of Hawaii, found on all the main islands.

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The main reason for this is the lack of suitable habitat and prey resources in Hawaii. Bald eagles are primarily found near large bodies of water where they can fish and hunt for food.

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In the 1700s, sugarcane was introduced to the islands, and large plantations soon sprung up. These plantations brought with them a menagerie of animals, including chickens. When the sugar industry began to decline in the late 1800s, many of these animals were simply let loose and left to fend for themselves.

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O'ahu (Population 876,156, Area 597 sq. miles) The most populated island, where Honolulu is the Capital City, the principal port, the major airport, and business and financial center, and the educational heart of the State. O'ahu is the military command center of the Pacific.

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Some famous celebrities that we all know were born in Hawaii are Bruno Mars, Jason Momoa and Barack Obama. Only in Your State, a website that provides fun facts for all 50 states, has their list of popular celebrities that were born in the Aloha State.

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