Haleakala National Park Crater District resources basic inventory: birds

Abstract

During field surveys conducted in the Crater District of Haleakala National Park, the authors recorded 23 species of birds in 22 genera and 15 families. Five species are endemic and two contain subspecies endemic to Maui county. Of four indigenous species present, two contain subspecies endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago. Among the endemic and indigenous species and subspecies, two (the 'Ua'u, Pterodroma phaeopygia sandwichensis, and the Nene, Branta sandvicensis) are currently listed as endangered on the federal endangered species 1ist. Fourteen introduced species were observed in the Crater District. Two of these species, the Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonica) and the House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), were widespread and abundant, but their impact on native bird populations is unknown. Ecological relationships of the crater avifauna and management programs for the endangered species are discussed.