Hawaiian Coot

1. Hawaiian Coot Fulica alai, Kawaiele Waterbird Sanctuary, Kaua'i, Hawai'i, July 12, 2006. While still widely distributed in the Hawaiian archipelago, we only saw two individuals of this threatened endemic form during our six days on Kaua'i - this bird and the one below at Wailua Reservoir. Both were very wary and could only be viewed from a distance. Note the bulbous white bill and frontal shield, combined with white sides to the undertail coverts (best illustrated in image 3 below).

2. Hawaiian Coot F. alai, Kawaiele Waterbird Sanctuary, Kaua'i, Hawai'i, July 12, 2006. Same bird as in image 1 above. Estimates put the population of this species between 2000 and 4000 birds.

3. Hawaiian Coot F. alai, Kawaiele Waterbird Sanctuary, Kaua'i, Hawai'i, July 12, 2006. Same bird as in image 1 above. Overexposed as the bird hid under the cover of a banking, but the white sides to the undertail coverts are shown to good effect.

4. Hawaiian Coot F. alai, Wailua Reservoir, Kaua'i, Hawai'i, July 8, 2006. The only other Hawaiian Coot we saw during our six days on Kaua'i, this bird was only seen at a great distance and soon retreated into cover.