The Habitats and the Birds Wetlands and birds are at the heart of Pacific Birds’ partnership building in Hawai‘i. Our goal is to connect partners, sites, resources and funding to deliver excellent wetlands conservation across the Hawaiian Islands.
Conserving wetlands means we are supporting some of the rarest (and coolest!) birds in the world. We work with partners to secure and improve habitats for five endemic wetland species and up to 60 migratory waterfowl and shorebirds.
J. Waipa / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The Threats The threats to wetland birds are significant and constant. Species are struggling with: introduced predators such as cats and rats; habitat loss due to development, drainage and infilling; the loss of hydrological and physical links between wetlands; pollution from cesspools and agricultural run-off; invasive plant species; and diseases including botulism.
Climate change will exacerbate the issues for migratory and resident birds. Their habitats will be affected by coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion from sea level rise. Changing rainfall and temperature patterns may change flooding regimes and the prevalence of invasive species.
Wetlands, Birds and People Wetlands also support ecosystem services that can help us respond to climate challenges. They provide water storage during flood events, which will protect property and infrastructure. Wetlands also reduce the impact of storm surges on the coast, protecting the land, people and wildlife.
These habitats are culturally significant. Hawaiian farmers have enhanced wetlands to provide kalo (taro), fish, and materials for mats and other items. These traditional community practices can also be beneficial for birds and other wildlife.
We are passionate about wetlands. If your organization is too, get in touch and find out how we can help.
Meet Our Priority Species
The five native wetland birds shown below are found only in the Hawaiian Islands. Our conservation outreach aims to raise awareness about the value of these species and the importance of protecting places they need.
Population: About 1,000
Dan Clark, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Population: About 2,000
Forest and Kim Starr © Creative Commons
Population: About 3,000
Gary Kramer © Creative Commons
Population: About 2,000
Emilie Chen © Creative Commons
Population: About 1,000
Gary Kramer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pacific Birds is now working to:
Improve Communications
We are bringing partners together to network and share expertise, and we are actively involved in outreach.
Promote Action
We are supporting partners to meet their wetland conservation objectives, including creating, restoring and protecting wetlands habitat.
Secure Reources
We assist partners with funding, and we help secure the resources they need for efffective conservation.
To learn more, contact Helen Raine, our Conservation Specialist in Hawaii.
Stories from Hawaiʻi
Faces of Pacific Birds–Helen Raine
Get to know us! We are sharing stories and reflections from the people who make up the Pacific Birds’ team, starting with our Hawaiʻi Conservation Specialist Helen Raine. Helen was raised in the U.K. and took a circuitous route to the Hawaiian Islands. She reflects on how both islands have found her thinking about wetlands and climate change.
Aeʻo Nesting Success Improved with Predator-proof Fencing
A University of Hawai‘i team have found that fencing to exclude mammals improves the nesting success of a‘eo (Hawaiian Stilt). Clutch sizes and hatch rates were significantly greater at the fenced site than the unfenced site.
On the Lookout for Botulism
A new project is underway to help conserve some of Hawaiʻi’s waterbirds. Researchers at the University of Hawai‘i are working to better understand the threat of botulism, and–building upon previous wok–create a botulism reporting network.
