Question 1

What is the Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail?

Accepted Answer

The Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail (HICCBT) is a pioneering birding route that traverses the Big Island of Hawaii from one shoreline to the other, linking diverse ecosystems and habitats. The trail passes through a National Park, State Parks, Forest Reserves, a National Wildlife Refuge, County Parks, and local businesses, creating a continuous corridor for bird watching and nature tourism.

The trail rises from sea level to approximately 7,000 feet and back, passing through environments ranging from barren coastal lava fields to lush tropical rainforest receiving nearly 300 inches of annual rainfall. Along the way, birders can observe waterfowl, migratory shorebirds, endangered wetland birds, native Hawaiian Honeycreepers, owls, hawks, and dozens of other species.

The HICCBT was conceived as a pilot project for a larger island-wide Hawaii Island Nature Trail Network, with the vision of eventually linking to Heritage Corridors and Scenic Byways across the entire island.

Question 2

What birds can I see on Hawaii Island birding trails?

Accepted Answer

Hawaii Island offers an extraordinary diversity of bird life found nowhere else on Earth. The island hosts native Hawaiian Honeycreepers — widely recognized as the world's most rapidly evolving and endangered family of birds — including the brilliant scarlet 'I'iwi, the 'Apapane, the 'Amakihi, and the rare 'Akiapola'au with its unique crossed bill adapted for extracting insect larvae.

Wetland habitats support the Hawaiian Stilt (Ae'o), the Hawaiian Coot ('Alae ke'oke'o), and the endangered Hawaiian Duck (Koloa). In forest zones, you may encounter the 'Elepaio, the Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owl), and the 'Io (Hawaiian Hawk). Coastal and open areas host a variety of migratory shorebirds, seabirds including albatrosses and petrels, and introduced species from five continents.

The diversity of habitats — from coastal wetlands to alpine shrublands — means that skilled birders visiting the Big Island can potentially observe over 100 species in a single multi-day trip.

Question 3

When is the best time of year to go birding in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

Hawaii's tropical climate means birding is rewarding year-round, but different seasons offer distinct advantages. Winter months (November through March) bring migratory shorebirds and waterfowl to Hawaiian wetlands, including the Pacific Golden-Plover ('Kolea) and various sandpiper species that travel thousands of miles from Alaska and Siberia.

Spring (March through May) is breeding season for many resident species, making it ideal for observing courtship displays and nesting behavior. Native Hawaiian forest birds are particularly active and vocal during this period. Summer and fall bring the return migration of shorebirds and the possibility of vagrant species blown off course from Asia and the Pacific.

Forest birding is generally best in the early morning hours when birds are most active and temperatures are cooler. Hawaii's weather patterns mean the windward (eastern) side of the island receives significantly more rainfall than the leeward (western) side, so plan your visit accordingly.

Question 4

What is the Hawaii Island Birding Festival?

Accepted Answer

The Hawaii Island Birding Festival is an annual celebration of the extraordinary bird life found on the Big Island of Hawaii. The inaugural festival was held on September 24–25, 2016, marking the official opening of the Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail. The event brought together birding enthusiasts, conservation experts, local guides, and nature lovers from across the mainland and around the world.

Festival highlights typically include guided birding hikes to premier viewing locations, boat tours for seabirds and pelagic species, photography workshops with professional wildlife photographers, a Gala Dinner with conservation speakers, documentary film screenings, art exhibitions featuring Hawaiian birds, and vendor showcases for birding equipment and local products.

The festival serves as both a celebration of Hawaii's natural heritage and a fundraising event supporting conservation initiatives to protect endangered native bird species and their habitats.

Question 5

Are there endangered birds on Hawaii Island, and why are they threatened?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Hawaii has one of the highest concentrations of endangered bird species in the world. Of the approximately 142 endemic bird species that once lived in Hawaii, more than 70 have gone extinct since human arrival, and dozens of the remaining species are listed as endangered or critically endangered.

The primary threats to Hawaiian birds are habitat loss, invasive predators (rats, cats, and mongooses which prey on nests and young birds), and avian malaria transmitted by introduced mosquitoes. Native Hawaiian birds evolved without mammalian predators and have little natural defense against them. Avian malaria has effectively eliminated many native forest birds from lower-elevation forests by restricting their range to higher, cooler elevations where mosquitoes cannot survive.

Conservation efforts on Hawaii Island include predator control programs, habitat restoration, captive breeding programs, disease research, and the development of disease-resistant bird populations. Birding tourism plays a vital role in funding these conservation programs and building public awareness of the critical need to protect Hawaii's unique avian heritage.

Question 6

Do I need a guide to go birding on Hawaii Island?

Accepted Answer

While it is certainly possible to bird independently on Hawaii Island using field guides and trail maps, hiring a local expert guide significantly enhances the experience, especially for visitors unfamiliar with Hawaii's native bird species and their habitats. Experienced guides know exactly where to find rare and elusive species, can identify birds by their calls (critical in dense forest), and can share the rich cultural and ecological context of Hawaii's bird life.

For those new to Hawaiian birding, joining an organized tour through the Hawaii Birding Trails program or the Hawaii Island Birding Festival is an excellent way to learn from experts while exploring prime birding locations with proper access. Many guides are also conservation advocates who contribute to the scientific monitoring of bird populations.

If you prefer independent birding, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (by permit), and various state-managed forest reserves offer excellent birding with well-marked trails. Always check current access rules and permit requirements before visiting sensitive habitats.

Question 7

How does Hawaii Birding Trails support bird conservation?

Accepted Answer

Hawaii Birding Trails actively supports bird conservation through multiple channels. By promoting responsible birding tourism, the organization generates economic activity that demonstrates the tangible value of healthy bird populations and intact native habitats to local communities and landowners.

A portion of festival ticket sales and sponsorship revenues is directed toward conservation partnerships with agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and nonprofit conservation organizations working on the ground to protect native Hawaiian birds. The festival also creates critical educational opportunities, reaching thousands of visitors who become advocates for Hawaii's natural heritage.

The development of the Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail itself is a conservation tool, establishing a network of birding destinations that incentivizes land managers and private landowners to maintain native vegetation, control invasive species, and implement predator management — all measures that directly benefit endangered bird populations.

Hawaii Island Birding Festival

Hawaii Birding Trails

The Big Picture

Featured Highlights

Native Hawaiian Birds

The Birding Trail

Annual Festival

Why Hawaii Is a World-Class Birding Destination

Frequently Asked Questions