Hawaiian endangered bird conservation program: report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, November 16, 1998 - November 15, 1999

Author:

Peregrine Fund,, World Center for Birds of Prey,, Keauhou Bird Conservation Center,, Maui Bird Conservation Center,

Title:

Hawaiian endangered bird conservation program: report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, November 16, 1998 - November 15, 1999

Periodical:

Annual Report, 1999

Year:

1999

Subject:

Birds conservation Endangered species birds

Summary:

In 1999, The Peregrine Fund (TPF) had eight goals for the Hawaiian Endangered Bird Conservation Program: 1) Continue the restoration program for the endangered Puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri) by breeding this species in captivity and reintroducing birds to establish a second population in the Alakai Swamp Kauai. 2) Continue captive-breeding Alala (Corvus hawaiiensis) at the Maui Bird Conservation Center (MBCC) and Keauhou Bird Conservation Center (KBCC) for reintroduction to the wild. 3) Continue captive-breeding Nene (Nesochen sandvicensis) at the MBCC and KBCC for the State of Hawaii ’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s (DOFAW) Nene release program. 4) Continue to rehabilitate and renovate facilities at MBCC. 5) Collect wild eggs from Maui Parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys), Hawaii Creeper (Oreomystis mana), Hawaii Elepaio (Chasiernpis s. sandwichensis), Hawaii Akepa (Loxops coccineus), and Akiapolaau (Hemignathus munroi); continuing to develop artificial incubation, hand-rearing and release techniques for restoration of endangered forest bird populations. 6) Establish long-term captive husbandry and breeding requirements for endemic Hawaiian passerines. 7) Initiate and complete Phase III construction of a second Forest Bird Barn and initiate construction of four additional Alala aviaries at KBCC. 8) Continue the environmental education program funded by grants and private donations and publish a conservation primer for Hawaiian students (Treasures of the Rainforest). To date, over 190 endemic songbirds have been hatched at TPF facilities in Hawaii, (hatchability = 83%, survivability to 30 days = 89%). In 1999, fourteen captive reared Puaiohi were released in the Alakai Swamp Kauai. All the release birds survived 30 days and at least eight chicks have successfully fledged in the wild. This is the first successful endangered passerine conservation program using recovery techniques that include: collection of wild eggs, hand-rearing, captive-breeding and release; where reintroduced birds subsequently survived and bred in the wild. All TPF’s goals for 1999 were met except for the collection of wild eggs from Akiapolaau and Hawaii Creeper. Biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey- Biological Resources Division (BRD),U .S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), DOFAW and TPF were unable locate to accessible nests for these species. TPF restoration programs are implemented in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), DOFAW, U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division (BRD), Kamehameha Schools Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate (KSBE) the Zoological Society of San Diego ( ZSSD) and the Kauai , Maui and Alala Partnerships.

Collection:

Monographs