Hawaiian Seabird Nesting Concentrations

Hawaiian.High.Islands.Ecoregion
This page last revised 01 September 2010 -- S. Gon

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Hawaiian gallinule, an endangered waterbird

Seabird nesting concentrations comprise a conservation target based on geospatial concentrations of species with special threats and management needs.

iwa nest
Seabirds, such as this ‘iwa, are key indicators of marine habitat quality.

Hawaiian Seabird Nesting Concentrations

The seabirds associated with the Hawaiian High Islands Ecoregion have suffered a history of habitat destruction and predatioon by introduced mammals such as rats, cats, mongoose, and dogs, so that once-vast nesting areas on all of the main islands have disappeared, relegated to small offshore islets. Seabirds in Hawai‘i typically nest during the spring and summer months, with nest-building, egg laying, and care of chicks culminating in fledging and abandonment of the nest by parents and young. The Hawaiian seabirds included in nesting concentrations include terns (Gygis alba, Sterna spp.), boobies (Sula spp.), noddies (Anous spp.), shearwaters (Puffinus spp.), petrels (Pterodroma spp., Bulweria bulwerii), and albatross (Diomedea spp.). A concentration is defined as an area in which consistent nesting occurs by at least one species of seabirds.

Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula) nest successfully at a military reservation on Mokapu Peninsula, O‘ahu.

When the distribution and densities of such concentrations were assessed across the ecoregion, occurrences emerged on the all the major Hawaiian islands.

Distribution of Nesting Concentrations

Seabird nesting concentrations are distributed among the main islands, but are not currently well developed on the islands of Hawai`i, Lāna`i, Kaho`olawe, and Ni`ihau. Most nesting sites occur in areas not dominated by native vegetation, often these are rugged cliffy areas, relatively remote points, or offshore islets. The main factors seem to be areas relatively free from predation by mammals, and relatively undisturbed by human traffic. Thus the seabird nesting conservation areas typically lie outside of all native ecological systems, with the exception of some coastal vegetation areas.

We selected for the ecoregion portfolio so that all of the most viable examples are represented for each of the islands. The islands bearing portfolio seabird nesting concentrations are listed here, and maps of the concentrations are affered below.

KAUAI STRATIFICATION UNIT
Ni‘ihau & Kaua‘i Islands

O‘AHU STRATIFICATION UNIT
O‘ahu Island

MAUI NUI STRATIFICATION UNIT
Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i & Maui Islands

HAWAI‘I STRATIFICATION UNIT
Hawai‘i Island

Read more about Hawaiian seabirds in this NOAA brochure.

Maps of the Hawaiian seabird concentrations (in red dots) with native ecosystems (in green) are provided below.

Seabird nesting concentrations on O'ahu

Seabird nesting concentrations on Kaua'i

Seabird nesting concentrations on Ni'ihau

Seabird nesting concentrations on and near Ni'ihau

Seabird nesting concentrations on Kaho'olawe

Seabird nesting concentration near Kaho'olawe

Seabird nesting concentrations on Hawai'i island (in red dots)

Seabird nesting concentrations on Maui

Seabird nesting concentration on Lāna'i

Seabird nesting concentration on Moloka'i

Statewide seabird nesting concentrations

	Hawaiian.High.Islands.Ecoregion This page last revised 01 September 2010 -- S. Gon
Home Introduction Ecoregion Conservation Targets Viability Goals Portfolio TNC Action Sites Threats Strategies Acknowledgements ▫ Tables Maps & Figures CPT Database Appendices Glossary Sources . Seabird nesting concentrations comprise a conservation target based on geospatial concentrations of species with special threats and management needs. Seabirds, such as this ‘iwa, are key indicators of marine habitat quality.	Hawaiian Seabird Nesting Concentrations The seabirds associated with the Hawaiian High Islands Ecoregion have suffered a history of habitat destruction and predatioon by introduced mammals such as rats, cats, mongoose, and dogs, so that once-vast nesting areas on all of the main islands have disappeared, relegated to small offshore islets. Seabirds in Hawai‘i typically nest during the spring and summer months, with nest-building, egg laying, and care of chicks culminating in fledging and abandonment of the nest by parents and young. The Hawaiian seabirds included in nesting concentrations include terns (Gygis alba, Sterna spp.), boobies (Sula spp.), noddies (Anous spp.), shearwaters (Puffinus spp.), petrels (Pterodroma spp., Bulweria bulwerii), and albatross (Diomedea spp.). A concentration is defined as an area in which consistent nesting occurs by at least one species of seabirds. Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula) nest successfully at a military reservation on Mokapu Peninsula, O‘ahu. When the distribution and densities of such concentrations were assessed across the ecoregion, occurrences emerged on the all the major Hawaiian islands.	Distribution of Nesting Concentrations Seabird nesting concentrations are distributed among the main islands, but are not currently well developed on the islands of Hawai`i, Lāna`i, Kaho`olawe, and Ni`ihau. Most nesting sites occur in areas not dominated by native vegetation, often these are rugged cliffy areas, relatively remote points, or offshore islets. The main factors seem to be areas relatively free from predation by mammals, and relatively undisturbed by human traffic. Thus the seabird nesting conservation areas typically lie outside of all native ecological systems, with the exception of some coastal vegetation areas. We selected for the ecoregion portfolio so that all of the most viable examples are represented for each of the islands. The islands bearing portfolio seabird nesting concentrations are listed here, and maps of the concentrations are affered below. KAUAI STRATIFICATION UNIT Ni‘ihau & Kaua‘i Islands O‘AHU STRATIFICATION UNIT O‘ahu Island MAUI NUI STRATIFICATION UNIT Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i & Maui Islands HAWAI‘I STRATIFICATION UNIT Hawai‘i Island Read more about Hawaiian seabirds in this NOAA brochure.

	Maps of the Hawaiian seabird concentrations (in red dots) with native ecosystems (in green) are provided below. Seabird nesting concentrations on O'ahu Seabird nesting concentrations on Kaua'i Seabird nesting concentrations on and near Ni'ihau Seabird nesting concentration near Kaho'olawe	Seabird nesting concentrations on Hawai'i island (in red dots) Seabird nesting concentrations on Maui Seabird nesting concentration on Lāna'i Seabird nesting concentration on Moloka'i Statewide seabird nesting concentrations