Kauai, Hawaii: Alae Ula? (1 Viewer)

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Jan 12, 2013

• #1

I thought this was a boring Common Moorhen, but now I learn there's an endangered endemic nonmigratory Hawaiian subspecies. Is there any way to tell the subspecies apart?

Or can any moorhen on Kauaii be assumed to belong to subspecies sanvicensis? This might be my rarest bird ever, and I almost didn't take a photo.

Larger photo: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8373802185_84cd5978f8_h.jpg

 

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nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Jan 12, 2013

• #2

And... I just discovered there's an endangered subspecies of Stilt, too. Same question.

Had good light on a mated (i presume) pair of stilts, but didn't have my long lens with me. Sorry for the lousy photo.

Hm, this one is banded. I'm pretty sure its mate was not, though I don't have a photo with both knees clearly out of the water.

 

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Last edited: Jan 12, 2013

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DarkFireFalcon

Well-known member

• Jan 13, 2013

• #3

As far as I know, there is no record of the migratory subspecies of the Common Gallinule (due to a recent split, the European species is not referred to as Common Moorhen, while the American species Common Gallinule) on Hawaii.

For more Hawaiian bird info, check out this site:

http://www.birdinghawaii.co.uk/

The main difference from the mainland form is that the frontal shield appears slightly larger and extends higher up the forehead than on the mainland form.

 

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DarkFireFalcon

Well-known member

• Jan 13, 2013

• #4

As for the Hawaiian stilt, the black of its neck reaches much farther forward than the mainland form. I guess the mainland form is theoretically possible, but I don't think it's been documented in Hawaii.

 

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Jan 13, 2013

• #5

Thanks.

Those are some subtle marks. I think I can see a difference in how far above the eye the shield reaches, but I'd not trust myself to make that call without side-by-side birds in identical postures. I was hoping the red on its shins would be diagnostic.

 

Last edited: Jan 13, 2013

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DarkFireFalcon

Well-known member

• Jan 13, 2013

• #6

Range is essentially diagnostic, in and of itself.