After Kauai, we hopped on a quick little flight over to Maui. This half of the trip was to be a little different. We have family on the island, so we were looking forward to seeing them and getting some looks at some of the cool spots they know. We also had some days there with my mother-in-law, who came to meet us on Maui.

The birding on Maui is great, let’s jump in!

Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

This cool spot is on the south side of the island. This is an amazing wildlife refuge, featuring wetlands and marshes, right next to the beach and ocean. The ponds feel somewhat hidden and secluded, making them an amazing spot for some special creatures. There is a really nice boardwalk feature closer to the beach side, that provides great looks at the wetlands.

Hawaiian Stilt (endemic to Hawaii)

There are a good mix of Black-necked Stilts (the same as in California) and the Hawaiian Stilt. In the photo below, you can see the difference between the two. The three birds in the front are Black-necked Stilts, showing more white around the neck and face. Notice the Hawaiian Stilt in the back, with significantly more black around the neck.

Black-necked Stilt

Wandering Tattler

This bird literally twirled in a circle dancing to catch a beach bug snack…

Ruddy Turnstone

Pacific Golden-plover

Zebra Dove

The Endemics… The Forest Birds

I love all birds, but seeing these particular birds was an amazing experience for me. Hawaii has some absolutely stunning endemic birds, but they are up against a huge battle to survive. Endangered and vulnerable, losing habitat, losing food sources, and outside threats - cats, mongoose, mosquitos, - too many threats. Hawaii has suffered enormous losses of birds to extinction. It’s an honor to see these birds, and I wished every single one a long and healthy life.

Apapane (endemic to Hawaii)

I’Iwi (endemic to Hawaii)

Hawaii Amakihi (endemic to Hawaii)

Bamboo Forests & Waterfalls

Having family who live in places like this means you get to go see really cool things that the tourist having taken over! Like bamboo forests and waterfalls!

The Honu (Sea Turtles) of Maui

The fam in Maui showed us some great beaches, where dozens of Green Sea Turtles come in to rest. I loved sitting on the sand and just watching them big beasts fight the surf, to come in and have a rest themselves. Here are some of the beautiful Honu that we saw:

More Maui Birds

I was hoping to spot a Black Noddy here, and what would luck do, but have one fly by at the very first beach… when I didn’t have my camera out. Thankfully, a couple more flew by while we were on the island!

Common Waxbill - a very cute yard bird!

Java Sparrow - a very cartoony yard bird!

Common Myna

Warbling White-eye

We drove out to Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve on one very rainy day. This was a wild place to be in the middle of some pretty heavy downpours. It’s a lava field, with a road cut through. As you drive through, it’s just lava rock everywhere around you! Very pretty place!

WIth all of the rain, not many birds, but some great scenery and some butterflies!

On the way out, something caught my eye… my mother-in-law stopped the car promptly and let me jump out and run back to see who it was! I got some great looks a little family of Gray Francolin’s!

Another stop along the way, this time to find a place to snorkel… we dropped by Ulua Beach for a look. While the water was a little too crowded, I was easily distracted by a squawking young Red-crested Cardinal following its parent around wanting food!