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Aloha, Gallinule The Hawaiian Gallinule is an endemic subspecies of the Common Gallinule of North America. It was once common throughout the islands, but today, its range is limited to wetland areas on Kaua'i and O'ahu. The Hawaiian Gallinule was listed as an endangered species in 1967 under the Federal Endangered Species Act. |
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The Hawaiian Gallinule doesn't migrate, and no one knows when or how it came to Hawai'i. |
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Gone, or just hiding? The Hawaiian Gallinule is our most secretive native bird. It's preference for dense vegitation near open shallow water makes it very difficult to get an accurate population count. If you can spot them, they can be found in marshes, taro patches, irrigation ditches, resevoirs, and wet pastures. |
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Did you know that the Hawaiian name for the gallinule, 'alae 'ula, means "red forehead"? |
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Back from the Brink of Extinction? Hawaiian Gallinule populations declined sharply in the mid-1900's, largley due to loss of wetland habitat. Surveys in the 50's and 60's found less than 60 birds left. The development of aquaculture in the 70's and 80's provided the birds with more habitat, and a 1982 survey found almost 200 birds. |
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The gallinule's common name is "moorhen" because the birds live in marshy areas and make sounds like a chicken. |
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Where There's Help, There's Hope! While the loss of habitat is the primary threat to the Hawaiian Gallinule, predators, alien plants and fish, disease, and environmental contamination have also taken their toll. Luckily, agencies such as the World Wildlife Fund, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working to preserve our wetlands. |
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The U.S. FWS Hawaiian Waterbirds Draft Recovery Plan is now available for public review. |
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