Our Diverse Bird Life
The Pacific Birds region encompasses many habitats and multiple migratory flyways. Our boundaries are expansive because of the rich and diverse birds that travel our migratory flyways.
From endemic waterbirds in Hawai'i, and threatened oak and prairie woodland species, to the millions of migratory birds in wetlands from Alaska to California, our partnership works on all fronts – keeping common species common and taking strategic action for endangered or threatened species.
Priority Species
Our priority species were selected by reviewing the status of each bird species occurring within the Pacific Birds geography in each of our priority habitats and establishing a list of priority species for conservation action alongside partners. Specific criteria vary across priority habitats and locations. Please see the Strategic plan for each region for further information.
Coastal Wetlands in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
*subspecies or subpopulation of conservation concern
AK, CA: occurs only in Alaska or California within continental JV
Coastal Wetlands and Riparian Forests in British Columbia
Wetlands in Hawai‘i
Oak and Prairie in the Pacific Northwest
The State of Our Birds
The North American Bird Conservation Initiative’s State of the Birds reports provide an overview of how North America’s birds are doing. Each of the reports has a special focus.
To learn more about regional population trends, and the conservation status of bird groups or species, visit our Resources page.
Take Action for Birds
The Pacific Birds partnership works hard to help birds. Collectively our partners are learning about migrations, population dynamics, and the habitats birds need. We follow up by helping partners conserve those habitats.
But anyone can make a difference for birds by following some bird-friendly guidelines and taking some simple actions from home.
Click on the image to learn more.
Meet Some Of The Birds We Are Safeguarding
ʻAlae ʻUla Event at Kukui Grove Mall
The ʻalae ʻula (Hawaiian common gallinule) is an endangered waterbird that is unique to Hawaiʻi. There are only around 700 left in the world! Over 300 people attended a campaign launch event on April 4, 2026 at Kukui Grove Shopping Center on Kauaʻi. Participants learned how they could help protect this special bird through local […]
Artist Holly Kaʻiakapu Features the ʻAlae ʻUla in New Block Print
Throughout 2026, Pacific Birds is celebrating the ʻalae ʻula, or Hawaiian Common Gallinule. This endangered waterbird is endemic to Hawaiʻi, but their population has fallen to an estimated 712 birds. As part of our campaign to raise awareness for the ʻalae ʻula, Pacific Birds commissioned local artist Holly Kaʻiakapu to create this beautiful original block […]
Celebrate the ʻAlae ʻUla! Campaign Launch Event
Event Information Play Video The ʻalae ʻula (Hawaiian common gallinule) is an endangered waterbird that is unique to Hawaiʻi. There are only around 700 left in the world! Learn how you can help protect this special bird at our campaign launch event. Pacific Birds and other sponsors will share local art, moʻolelo, and fun facts […]
Congratulations to the 2025-26 ʻAlae ʻUla Art Contest Winners
This year, Pacific Birds is celebrating the ʻalae ʻula (Hawaiian Common Gallinule). This bird is known as the “fire bringer” from a moʻolelo (legend) that tells how it stole fire from the god Maui and gave it to humans. ʻAlae ʻula and chicks. Credit: Hob Osterlund We began the ʻalae ʻula campaign with an art […]
Help Us Showcase the ʻAlae ʻUla Through Art and Outreach!
Art by Sophia Benton, Chiefess Makahelei Middle School Big news! One of our collaborative projects is in the running for a Kauaʻi County Innovation Grant – and YOU can help us succeed by voting for our project. The ʻalae ʻula (or Hawaiian common gallinule) is an endangered waterbird unique to Hawaiʻi. Friends of Kauaʻi National […]
Why Cats and Nēnē Don’t Mix – It’s Not as Simple as You Think
Play Video Hawai’i’s state bird, the nēnē, faces a rising threat from toxoplasmosis – a cat-borne disease also harming monk seals, dolphins, and more. Pacific Birds’ Hawai’i Conservation Coordinator, Helen Raine, and Thierry Work of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) appear on KITV to explain how toxoplasmosis is threatening native wildlife, and what we can […]
Recovering Native Hawaiian Waterbirds through Culture, History, and Indigenous Partnership
Art by Sophia Benton, Chiefess Makahelei Middle School Pacific Birds is excited to share a new report by Hoku Cody on how including loʻi (taro pondfields) and loko iʻa (fishponds) in waterbird conservation can contribute to a durable and sustainable future for these species while providing sustainable food and ecosystem benefits to local communities. Hoku […]
What Does Valentine’s Day Have to Do with Birds?
What does Valentine’s Day have to do with birds? Apparently, a lot! As the story goes, Valentine’s Day dates back to medieval times when birdwatchers in France noticed many birds began mating around mid-February. They decided to designate a specific day-February 14th-to celebrate the beginning of the mating season. Whether or not this is the […]
Tracking Red Knots: Migration Monitoring and Conservation Efforts in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor
Red knot stretching its wings. Photo: Eric Ellingson, Creative Commons If you’ve ever taken a stroll along the muddy, sandy shorelines of Willapa Bay or boated along the foggy waters of Grays Harbor in late April or early May, chances are you’ve seen a Red Knot. Red knots are small to medium-sized sandpipers named after […]
See the habitats our birds need to thrive.
Caspian Tern
Mick Thompson © Creative Commons
