Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 1, 1 January 1991 — Naturally Hawaiian [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Naturally Hawaiian

By Fatrick Ching artist/environmentalist

Raptors of Hawai'i

Raptors, or birds of prey, have been hunting in Hawai'i 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 tar indicate that a native seaeagle and other species of hawk and owl have already become extinct. Presently, on the island of Hawai'i, 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 a 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-oh!" The 'Io have two distinct plumages; a light plumage, (shown here) and a dark plumage in whieh the entire bird is a deep shade of brown. The majestic 'Io is now on the federal list of endangered 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 suggests 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 oeeasionally the leeward islands northwest of Kaua'i. The Pueo is often seen in trees or on telephone poles overlooking 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 often 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 heartshaped face. Pueo and barn owl alike feed mainly on rats and miee. However, unlike the barn owl whieh is generally nocturnal, the Pueo feeds primarily during the day. Owls usually swallow their food whole and regurgitate pellets containing haif 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 years 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 dieoff is unknawn, 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 Department of Land and Natural Resources district wildlife, biologist immediately. Editor's note: this eolumn first ran in January 1988. As a service to readers who may haue missed earlier articles by Patrick Ching, Ka Wai Ola O OHA will be reprinting some preuious columns on occasion.

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