Hawaiian endangered bird conservation program: report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and State of Hawaii, July 1, 1999 - September 30, 2000

Author:

Peregrine Fund,, Zoological Society of San Diego,, 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 and State of Hawaii, July 1, 1999 - September 30, 2000

Periodical:

Annual Report, 2000

Year:

2000

Subject:

Endangered species birds Birds conservation Birds breeding

Summary:

At the request of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), and in cooperation with the Kamehameha Schools Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate (KSBE), the Alala, Kauai and Maul Partnerships, and the Biological Resources Division of U.S. Geological Survey (BRD); the Zoological Society of San Diego (ZSSD) and The Peregrine Fund (TPF) - Hawaiian Endangered Bird Conservation Program had the following goals for the period between July 1, 1999 - September 30, 2000: 1) Continue the restoration program for the endangered Puaiohi (Myadestes palrmeri) 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) reintroduction to the wild. 3) Continue captive-breeding Nene (Nesochen sandwicensis) at the MBCC and KBCC to produce at least 20 goslings for DOFAW’s Nene release program. Establish a captive (clipped) free-ranging flock on predator-controlled KBCC grounds. Collect wild eggs to improve the genetic diversity of the captive flock. 4) If found, collect wild eggs from Maui Parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys), Hawaii Creeper (Oreornystis maria), Hawaii Elepaio (Chasiernpis s. sandwichensis), Hawaii Akepa (Loxops coccineus), Akiapolaau (Hemignathus munroi), Iiwi (Vestiaria coccinea) and "on the brink" species to develop captive propagation techniques and restoration programs. 5) Establish long-term captive husbandry and breeding protocols for endemic Hawaiian passerines. 6) Modify five Alala aviaries at KBCC to facilitate: (a) isolation of disruptive males during the breeding season and (b) improve socialization and mate-choice. 7) Continue the environmental education program, funded by grants and private donations. 8) Complete Phase III construction and continue facility improvements at KBCC (second Forest Bird Barn Building, four Alala aviaries, new water tanks, and educational mural). 9) Continue to rehabilitate and renovate facilities at MBCC. 10) Develop a five-year workplan (2000-2004). All ZSSD/TPF programmatic goals were met except for the collection of wild eggs from Akiapolaau, Maul Parrotbill and "on the brink species". Biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey- Biological Resources Division (BRD), (Service), DOFAW and TPF/ZSSD were unable to locate accessible nests for these species. Of particular significance, we report the first successful captive-breeding (including parent-rearing) of three species endangered honeycreepers this year: Maui Parrotbill, Palila. (Loxiodes bailleui) and Hawaii Creeper. In previous years the Hawaiian Endangered Bird Conservation Program submitted two annual reports: (1) Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) (July 1 - June 3) and (2) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) (Oct. 1 - Sept. 30). As of this year, joint report will be submitted to both agencies on Nov. 15th Because this annual report represents a one-time transitional report, it will also include the time period from July l, 1999. Future reports will be submitted November 15th (reporting period for the Federal fiscal year: Oct. 1 - Sept. 30).

Collection:

Monographs