This Chukar was walking across the side road leading to a view area on Haleakala along with about six or eight little chicks (one shown). We rolled down the window on the rental car and snapped a dozen or so pictures with the Nikon D200 and 200mm Zoom before leaving them to forage alongside the road. The rest of the chicks were hiding under the rock. The car in back of us didn't even notice them. They were probably wondering why we were stopped on the side of the road and keeping them from rushing to the scenic spot (grin) but I think we got the best view of all.

The Hawaiian Nene Goose bears a strong resemblance to Canadian Geese and is likely a descendant of Canadian Geese blown far off course in pre-human times. The Nene live on the barren lava strewn slopes of Kilauea, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Haleakala and has largely lost the webbing between their toes. Their diet consists largely of berries (the Kukae Nene berry, the 'Ohelo berry and the Pukiawe berry). They survived in early Hawaii on the slopes between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, largely because the plateau between the two volcanos was considered kapu (off limits). This particular Nene was part of a duo hanging out begging for handouts at one of the lookouts on Haleakala and was woefully pecking at some truly greasy looking sandwich remnants (which we tossed into the garbage). In general, however, they live in grassy/shrubby areas along the slopes of the volcano where they can browse in peace.

There are Cattle Egrets along the beaches, especially along large grassy lawns that don't have too many people. My favorite cattle egret viewing spot is near Chinaman's Hat (hmmm, what was that Hawaiian name for Chinaman's Hat anyhow?) on Oahu. They're typically strolling along the grass right next to the parking lot. You'll see them catching grasshoppers in the ground cover next to the hotels on Maui as well and they're not especially shy so you can get a decent photo if you have a zoom lens.

The Brazilian Cardinals tend to hang out at sea level in warm areas. This one was near Queen Kapionlani park on Oahu. You can see them looking for scraps in the lawn. There used to be American Cardinals (the pure red ones) in the mountains when I was a kid but I haven't seen one in a long time. They seemed to get scarce when the Bulbuls moved it. Don't know if there is any connection.

The Golden Plover or Kolea (Pluvialis fulva) is a frequent seasonal visitor to the Islands. I remember them in the field in back of my elementary school when I was a kid. They were pretty shy back then but they seem tamer these days, perhaps because I'm not a crazy hormone filled little kid anymore. This guy came walking right up to me and I just froze and snapped perhaps a dozen pictures. Some of them have a lot more yellow than this one, truly earning the name "golden" plover.

The Koloa or Anas wyvilliana has been known to interbreed with the Mallard and it is not known if pure strains still exist. Could this be a Koloa or just a stray Mallard? Or perhaps it is a hybrid. It looks pretty Koloa-like but gosh if that beak isn't the wrong color...

Mynah Birds were originally brought to Hawaii as pets way back. My Dad told me they used to cut their tongues so they could talk (which seems really mean to me but hey, who am I to judge?). I vaguely remember a few talking mynahs in cages when I was a kid. They have long since escaped captivity and are very common in lowland areas by the sea where large flocks of them can create a huge ruckous (think crows).

The Black-Necked Stilt is endemic to Hawaii and feeds and nests in shallow salt water flats near the sea. I saw my first black-necked stilt at a yound child near Waiamea bay in a dried up river outlet (Summer). I did not see another until last Summer. There is a little preserve where Hawks bill turtles and Black-Necked Stilts both come to nest near Maalea on Maui. Ironically, I had no idea it was there as most preserves are not advertised. However, I could see the stilts flying into the low lying foliage from the highway and was determined to snap a few pictures. The picture to the left was one of them.

We used to see Frigate Birds fairly often along the Oahu coast when I was a kid, especially out on the West side of the island. There was always something eerie about those huge black sillouetes circling overhead, kind of like buzzards of the sea. Dad told me that the old Hawaiians believed that seeing a frigate bird meant someone had died. You almost never see them on Oahu anymore. However, there was a large nesting colony of them on Molokini atoll circling lazily through the skies when I visited last Summer. Occasionally, one would swoop low over the boat looking for handouts. As far as I know, nobody died. Good thing that.

The Red-Vented Bulbul used to be uncommon when I was a kid. I always considered it quite a treat when I saw them since they reminded me of American Cardinals but in black. Apparently, they have become quite a pest since then, being known for eating orchid buds and fruit, and are now quite common.

This is a Red Cardinal or, when I was a kid, we called them American Cardinals. In latin, Cardinalis cardinalis. They were pretty common back in the 60s and 70s and even showed up in the hills of Oahu. They are a lot less frequent now, possibly being squeezed out the more aggressive birds. It was always a treat to see one.

The Brazilian Cardinal or Red Crested Cardinal, Paroaria coronata, was introduced in the 1930s and is frequently seen in warm, low lying grassy areas such as Kapiolani park where they can be seen pecking at bugs, seeds and a stray french fry or two. The have done much better than the previously mentioned American Cardinal .

This is a Common Waxbill or Estrilda astrild, commonly found eating grass seeds in lawns with that seed piercing, finch-like beak.

The Common House Finch or Papaya Bird, Cardodacus mexicanus. They can be seen in grassy flats near the San Diego-Mexican border and were introduced to Hawaii in the 1800s, probably as escaped pets.

The House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, is arguably one of the most successful introductions to the Hawaiian islands. They can be see hopping around your feet at your favorite Hawaiian eatery searching for handouts. They tend to favor the warmer lowland areas.

The Java Finch or Java Sparrow, Padda oryzivora, is another escaped domestic pet. They can be seen in small flocks browsing on grass seed in local lawns. They will also happily eat out of bird feeders with smaller seeds such as millet.

This is a male Kolea, the Golden Plover, or Pluvialis fulva, in full plumage. They Winter in the warm Hawaiian weather and then migrate up to cooler Alaskan marshes for the Summer. They tend to guard grassy areas (possibly a courtship thing?) and are fairly approachable. When I was a kid, they had many of these on the playground. These days, I see them in Kapiolani park and along the Waikiki Boardwalk although they are found all around the island.

The Majiro or White Eye, Zosterops japonicus, is generally found in small flocks zipping from fruit to fruit where it tends to peck small holes in tasty fruits like Lichi and Papaya. It is similar in color to some of the Hawaiian honey creepers but if far more likely to be flying through your fruit tree than your flower bed.

Mynah's, Acridotheres tristis, are fairly aggressive and noisy birds. They can be found scavenging in the zoo and in Kapiolani park. At times, large groups of males will congregate in a tree, particularly at dusk, and create an ear thrumming chorus. Hilo Billy's had a flock there most nights and it was quite the sight. In the 60's they used to cut their tongues to enable them to learn to talk. You do have to wonder how someone came up with a distasteful idea like that.

The Red-Whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus, is a seldom seen, less agressive cousin to the Red-Vented Bulbul.

The Red Vented BulBul, Pycnonotus cafer, is often seen in lawns looking for handouts or in shrubs near human habitation. They can be identified by their bright red tail feathers. My Mom had a pair living in our Mock Orange Hedge. They are known to be injurious to fruit and flower crops as well.

The Ring Neck Dove or Spotted Dove, Streptopelia chinensis, is less common than its Zebra Dove cousin and is seldom seen begging for food at fast food restaurants. We used to have a few that would sneak in for dog food out of the dog dish when we weren't watching. They also made a farely soothing cooing sound early in the morning and are generally about twice the size of the zebra dove.

The Rock Dove or basic pigeion, Columba livia, has successfully established itself all over the world, including two roosting annoying close to my bedroom window. They make a loud, distinctive cooing sound and are pretty good beggers. They also tend to keep to Nesting pairs. When I was a kid, we used to bring bags of rice to feed the pigeons at the zoo where they would follow you (and the food, of course) around the zoo. The Zoo banned pigeon feeding as the pigeon population soared toward general pigeon overpopulation.

The White Necked Shama or Shama Thrush, Copsychus malabaricus, is a moderately shy bird. You will recognize it by it's sweet song..

Manu O Ku or Fairy Tern, Gygis alba rothschild, is a relatively uncommon bird. You are lucky to site one of these elusive fish feeders. It generally subsists on small fish such as juvenile goat fish and small mullet. It is found as far away as Midway.

The Zebra Dove, Geopelia striata, is generally unafraid of humands and is often an adept begger for scraps of bread at fast food restaurants.

Black-Necked Stilt or Ae'O. Himantropus mexicanus knudseni. I had the opportunity to see the North American strain of these in San Diego and they are admittedly quite similar although the Hawaiian variety has somewhat more black on their heads. These two are from Oahu (Kaneohe) while the one pictured above was from Maui. Do they look different? Hahah! I think they just might.

I dare say this Christmas was rainy. Consequently, I was hanging out by the water as was this 'Alae 'Ula or Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis). As you can tell from the name, these are an endemic variety. Some Hawaiians say these little guys brought fire from the gods and, to look at their bright beaks, you could see how they might say so.

'Alae 'Ula - Juvenile. I found this juvenile 'Alae 'Ula wandering around the bog with his parents above. As you can see, the firey red beak takes a while to develop and they have a cute white rump.

Koloa or Anas wyvilliana. Okay, I couldn't resist putting this guy in just to prove a point: wild birds are everywhere! Carry your camera with you and good things happen. This is the female of a pair of Koloa that splashed down in Waikiki to munch on bread from the tourists and seaweed off of the rocks. Note the proper beak color as opposed to my buddy up above.

Majiro or White Eye, Zosterops japonicus. Sorry for the repeat but he was being so photogenic on the Coral Tree, I couldn't resist..

Muscovy Duck. Wild? Nah, this was the parking lot duck at the Tree Top Restaurant in Manoa. He/She was very friendly and cute as well.

Red-Billed Leiothrix or Leiothrix lutea. This is a forest bird that will pop up to feeders and lawns for a free snack. It was introduced from Asia.

'Akekeke or Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). I suspect the Hawaiian name is from their call. These guys were browsing in a lawn on the windward side of the island in large numbers along with friendly Cattle egrets. These are Winter visitors who migrate back to the Arctic in the Summer.

'Akekeke or Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). I suspect these were more 'Akekeke, this time in flight. It is quite a sight to see as they zig zag across the sky in unison. Thank goodness for long lenses.

Hunakai or Sanderling (Caldris alba). Another Winter visitor; Sanderlings Summer and breed in the Arctic. These two were digging in the sand for small invertebrates, running up and down with the waves. They walked right up to me and posed.

'Ulili or Wandering Tattler. Another Winter visitor. These breed and Summer in Alaska. This 'Ulili was also hunting the sand for food along with the Sanderlings above.

Rose-ringed Parakeet, Psittacula krameri, mature female.   This is an Asian and African species that appears to have naturalized in Hawaii.  This one was resting high up in a massive Quipo tree (Cavanillisea platanifolia) at the Foster Botanical Gardens.

Red-footed Booby, White morph, Sula sula or, in Hawaiian, 'A.  I spotted small flocks of the white morphs flitting above the waves of Makapu.  Some flew so close they were just over the heads of the surfers below.  While Booby Birds are known to be ungainly on the ground, they are powerful and graceful in flight.  They nest in large colonies yet, hard as I might peer through my zoom, I failed to see any flecks of white on the bird sanctuary just off the coast.  Perhaps it was just the wrong time of year.

Red-footed Booby, Brown morph, Sula sula or, in Hawaiian, 'A.   Apparently, there is a white morph, a brown morph and a white-tailed brown morph.  This Brown Morph had me stumped for a little while since most of the Booby pictures out there are of the white morph.  I kept thinking this little Booby looked exactly like the white morph with that telltale blue beak but he was brown!  This very tame Brown  Morph hopped up on a boat in Kaneohe to beg for food.  Perhaps he was hand-raised by humans.  He's now a greeter at Sealife Park and enjoys all the food he can eat for his ambassadorial duties.