Hawaiian Endemics

We lucked out on the endemic forest birds of Oahu. However, we were a bit more successful in seeing the endemic Hawaiian waterbirds. Of these, only two are endemic species, the Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai) which as far as we're concerned looks no different from the Coots we see everywhere in California.


And the other is the Hawaiian Duck (Anas wyvilliana) which is not that much different from the Mallard.


The are two endemic subspecies - again with no visible marks that would distinguish them from their mainland counterparts.

The Hawaiian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis)


and the Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni)


But the most intriguing of them all was the Hawaiian Crane (Cranus machinus) which we almost missed. Good thing its name was displayed prominently. :D


Please click on the photos to see a bigger size. Mahalo!

Fairy Terns Can Come True...

.....it can happen to you, if you're in Kapiolani Park.....

Cynthia and I went on a six day vacation to Oahu. Sort of to acclimatize ourselves to some tropical weather before we settle in for good in the Philippines.

One of the birds I wanted to see there was the Fairy Tern or as it is now known..the White Tern (Gygis alba). We were quite surprised to see one right on the very first day as we strolled through Kapiolani Park right next to Waikiki Beach. This species has such an ethereal beauty that I think Fairy Tern would be the more appropriate name. My wife, on the other hand, confessed that it reminder her more of Jack-in-the-Box (the iconic symbol of a fast food joint here in America). Maybe it was the white rounded head and thin pointy bill that gave Cynthia that notion.

We both agreed, however, that it is quite unique among the terns that we usually see at the mainland. It's flight had a certain degree of playfulness and elegance to it. And those eyes that seemed to be covered by long lashes were just so enchanting to behold.



The afternoon before we left, we once again passed through Kapiolani Park and were mystified anew by the pure whiteness of two Fairy Terns contrasted against the dark branches of a tree. It seemed that the pair were in courtship displaying such endearing affection to one another as if bringing to life some romantic fairy tale.

Frank Sinatra was certainly right when he sang that "fairy tales can come true when you're young at heart. "

We felt young at heart that evening as we watched a fairy tale unfold before us.


For other (as enchanting) bird blogs and photographs, please visit: