Learning About Birds in Hawai’i

This is a collection of online resources to learn about Hawaii’s birds. Check out this page for links to field guides: https://katerighter.com/hawaii-field-guides/ I also have a page collecting links to learning about birds across the United States: https://katerighter.com/learning-about-birds-online-resources/ Which includes birding basics, bird anatomy, etc.

Forestry and Wildlife Education: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/education/#posters
Hawai’i specific environmental education resources including a learning guide to the nene, forest birds, plus free posters and stickers you can order for your classroom. There are also virtual field trips, native bird and plant themed crafts, and games.

Hawai’i Birding Trails: https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/
The State of Hawai’i website with links to birding locations and information about the birds you can find there.

Three Mountain Alliance: https://threemountainalliance.org/learning-activity-guides/
Learning guides: in ʻōlelo Hawai’i and English! Bird parts and bird identification. Also has lessons for learning about Hawaiian plants and ecosystems.

The Hawaii Wildlife Center: https://www.hawaiiwildlifecenter.org/
The center rescues native wildlife of Hawaii, and their website is a treasure trove of information about the birds and their rehabilitation.
Be sure to check out the arts and crafts on their activities page: https://www.hawaiiwildlifecenter.org/activities.html
They also have an adorable and hilarious Facebook page with photos and information about the birds that come to their center: https://www.facebook.com/hawaiiwildlifecenter/

Hawaiian Forest: https://hawaiianforest.com/wp/category/birds/
Photos and stories from all parts of Hawaii’i from the late, great, Nate Yuen. Wonderful resource.

Hawaii Nature Journal: https://hawaiinaturejournal.weebly.com/
Information and photos of Hawaiian birds, as well as many other plants, insects, and marine animals.

My Birding Journey: https://www.mybirdingjourney.com/
Birding stories and photos of native and introduced birds.

Hawaii Audubon Society: https://hiaudubon.org/
Publishes the ‘Elepaio newsletter with stories and the latest bird research.

Pacific Rim Conservation: https://pacificrimconservation.org/image-galleries/

Hawaii Birds Past Present: https://www.birdshawaiipastpresent.com/

Lyon Arboretum: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/lyon/education/teacher-and-student-resources/
Learning resources for all ages.
Two bird specific lessons: Observation challenges: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/lyon/education/teacher-and-student-resources/observation-challenges/
and Comparing Birds: https://www.hawaii.edu/gk-12/evolution/pdfs/activities.at.lyon.arboretum.pdf

Sounds Hawaiian: https://www.soundshawaiian.com/
Listen to the calls of different native birds and their ecosystems.

Manu Minute: https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/podcast/manu-minute#stream/0
One minute of a bird call and information about the birds.

A playlist of songs for the birds: https://www.youtube.com/
Listen to the mele with accompanying kiʻi (pictures) of our manu and their kiaʻi (protectors).

Forest Birds (honeycreepers)

Birds Not Mosquitos: https://www.birdsnotmosquitoes.org
Learn about efforts to save our native birds by reducing the mosquito population.

Symphony of Hawaiian Birds: http://www.symphonyofhawaiianbirds.com
Learn about hula, music, bird calls, and Hawaiian birds. Includes a unit plan for learning about native birds.
View a playlist of the music and accompanying videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsIEWzNA4v2BGxm5r6L93M1TJ5jcY1Vhy

Hawaiian Honeycreeper Conservation: https://view.genial.ly/634710a5afaa2300181c58fb
A fully interactive unit about the evolution of Hawaiian Honeycreepers, challenges they face, and hope for the future.

Hawaii Forest Birds: https://cgee-hamline.org/MMGWeb/HIFB/
A learning resource. Includes a lesson plan for learning about different types of beaks.

Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project: https://kauaiforestbirds.org/tools-for-teachers/

Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project: www.mauiforestbirds.org

National Park Service information about the birds on Haleakala: https://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm

Specific Birds

Kolea Count: https://www.koleacount.org/
Information about the Pacific Golden-Plover, and ways to join in the annual citizen science bird count.

Hui Manu-o-ku: https://www.whiteterns.org/
Information about the white tern, and the citizen science project to support them.

Freeman Seabird Preserve: https://freemanseabirdpreserve.org/lessons/
Lesson plans, videos, and downloadable presentations about the ‘ua’u kani, or wedge-tailed shearwater. The website also offers information about the recent science and data collected in the preserve. For middle and high schools.

Alala Project: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/alalaproject/