Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 1, 1 January 1988 — Naturally Hawaiian [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Naturally Hawaiian

Raptors of Hawai'i

By Patrick Ching Artist/Environmentalist Raptors, or birds of prey, have been hunting in Hawaii for millions of years. The two native species living today (a hawk and an owl) represent only a portion of those that previously existed. Fossil remains found so far indicate that a native seaeagle and other species of hawk and owl have already become extinct. Presently, on the island of Hawaii, a glorious sight to behold is that of the 'Io, or Hawaiian hawk, soaring in circles above the ground or perched high in a tree in search of food. Its meals consist of a number of delicacies including rodents, insects, stream animals and also small birds. Natural acrobats, these birds ean be observed solo or in pairs tumbling playfully through the air at great altitudes and occasionally uttering high pitched screams "ee-ohl". The 'Io have two distinct color plumages; a light plumage, shown above, and a dark plumage in whieh the entire bird is a deep shade of brown. The majestic 'Io nowon thefederal list ofendangered species, has long been a symbol of royalty in Hawai'i.

The other native raptor still in existence is the Pueo or Hawaiian short-eared owl. The absence of fossil remains of this bird suggest that it is a recent arrival to the islands (and therefore has not evolved mueh from its continental ancestors). It inhabits all the main Hawaiian islands and occasionally the leeward islands northwest of Kaua'i. The Pueo is often seen in trees or on telephone poles over!ooking grassy fields in search of prey. Its plumage is buffy-white with brown streaks (the rare white owl of Hawaiian lore may have been certain individuals with very light color variations, perhaps even albinistic birds).

The Pueo is ohen confused with the introduced barn owl that was brought to Hawai'i in 1958 to control rodents. The barn owl is larger and lighter in color than the Pueo and has a distinct heart-shaped face. Pueo and barn owl alike feed mainly on rats and miee. However, unlike the bam owl whieh is generally nocturnal, the Pueo feeds primarily during the day. Owls usually swallow their food whole and regurgitate pellets eontaining hair and bones of their prey. The Pueo is a prominent figure in Hawaiian lore and many Hawaiians worship the Pueo as family guardian or 'aumakua.

Within the past few months there has been a rash of owl deaths involving both the Pueo and barn owls. Most of the recent owl deaths have occurred on Kaua'i where many of the owls found are sluggish and weak. Though the exact cause of the die-off is unknown, biologists speculate that it may be connected to rodents, whieh the owls prey upon, that also exhibit similar symptoms. If you find an owl that seems sluggish, sick or freshly dead, contact your State DLNRdistrict wildlife biologist immediately.

Ka Pueo Hawaiian short-eared owl Asio flammeus sanwichensis

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Ka'lo Hawaiian hawk Butea solitarius