11-9-2013 Maui

Plumbago

Kitty at the Mana Kai

Bird of Paradise

Red-Crested Cardinal

Wandering Tattler
It is a winter visitor, arriving in the islands by August and leaving for Alaskan breeding grounds in late April or early May. 

In its winter plumage it is dark gray above and light gray below. It is generally a solitary bird, sometimes found in pairsor small flocks.  I saw only one. They feed by probing the bill into mud or under rocks.  They bob their tail when looking for food. They frequent mudflats, sandy beaches, rocky coastline, and interior rocky streams.  

Java Sparrow
It was orginally introduced in 1867 from Indonesia.  Sexes are similar. They travel in large flocks and are easily attracted to feeders. They feed on seeds and some insects.

This one I found near a boating ramp not far from the Mana Kai.

House sparrow

African Silverbill
It was first recorded in 1970's.  Formerly considered a subspecies of Warbling Silverbill which was split in July 2000 into African and Indian species.
Again the sexes are similar. Adults are pale brown above, light gray below.It has a bluish gray bill.

This one was found by the coast, and appeared to be gathering material for a nest.

Another lizard sunning himself.

Pacific golden Plover

Hawaiian Birds November 4, 2013

While on the island of Maui, I did get the opportunity to watch some of the birds.  I kept watch for them. 

Some were easy to spot, others not so much.

Almost as soon as we landed I  found my first bird book.  Before the week was over, I had 4 different books.
The one "A Photograph Guide to the Birds of Hawai'i" by, Jim Denny was the most extensive  of the books.
Hawaii Audubon Society, has a book Hawaii's Birds, that I used most as a reference.
Some like the one above, I am not sure of.  

Wandering Tattler or "Ulili
Common winter visitor, arriving in the islands by August and leaving for Alaskan breeding grounds in late April or early May.  Some non-breeding birds may oversummer.

They are generally solitary but are sometimes found in pairs or small flocks.
I saw this bird he was just the one.

They feed by probing the bill into mud or under rocks for mollusks and other invertebrates.
They bob their tail when walking.

This guy wanted to make sure he was pretty for the camera.

Wandering Tattler

The Pacific Golden Plover.
They are found on mudflats, lawns, fields, and grassy mountain slopes from sea level to 10,000 feet.

When this bird stays for the summer, they will seldom attain breeding plumage.

I thought this was a Black-bellied Plover.  Good thing when you add your information to e-bird, they do check with you and verify the information you submit.

Here is one of the crabs sunning himself on the rocks along the shore.

Watching the waves coming in.

The crabs blend in quite well with the rocks. You have to watch and see if you can catch them moving.

Sea urchins. It was so interesting to watch the waves come to shore and see the pools left with small fish and urchins.

Have to have a rump shot!

Another type of urchin.

This fish was about 5 inches long, and liked to hide between the rocks.

Common Myna
 These birds are very common and widespread on all the main islands.
It was introduced from India in 1865 to control insect pests.
It is hard to tell the sexes apart.

Mynas are social birds that travel in pairs and assemble in noisy flocks.
They were the first birds you would hear in the morning.
They are a nuisance bird, as they are so many of them.
They breed from February to August and can raise up to three broods.