Scientific name: Himantopus mexicanus knudseni. Eons ago, a flock found its way to the Hawaiian Islands, became isolated from others of its kind, and evolved into a distinct subspecies. The Hawaiian Stilt or Ae‘o, is an endangered species that feeds in shallow waters or the muddy shores of ponds. Hawaiian Stilt in Kauai - The Hawaiian Stilt or Ae`o as it is known in the Hawaiian language is a long-legged shoreline bird closely related to the black-necked stilts found elsewhere.  Both require you to park and walk a fair distance, so be sure to have good footwear and please do bring plenty of water as it is always summer here on the Big Island and it is easy to get dehydrated. Kauai Weather Nesting may occur in fresh or brackish water and in either natural or manmade ponds. Ae‘o will include 466 residences and over 60,000 total square feet of retail. The ae'o is a ground nesting bird so it is highly vulnerable to predation by mongoose, cats, dogs and even human disturbance. Other Names: kukuluaeÊ»o, aeo, ae'o, kukulueao, kukuluae'o The aeÊ»o, or Hawaiian black-necked stilt, is easy to spot with their long pink legs, and black and white feather colors. The stilt is able to fly from island to island and it is found in nearly all major islands of the Hawaiian chain. The sexes are similar. It is estimated that only about 1500 birds exist today. Nu‘u contains some of the healthiest coastal wetlands across the islands, which provide habitat for several endangered bird species, including the Ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and Ê»Alae keÊ»okeÊ»o (Hawaiian coot). Entire Content Copyright © 2000-2020 It has a black back and white forehead, and is white below; the female has a tinge of brown on its back. Sightings of ae'o at Pu'uhonua are extremely rare. LEARN ABOUT THE BIRDS. Kauai Restaurants The Hawaiian Stilt, like many Hawaii birds, is endangered. If you visit both of these places you are almost guaranteed to find the Stilt. google_color_link = "FFCC33"; Hawaiian Hawk - ' io . google_ad_width = 125; Princeville google_ad_format = "125x125_as"; As many as 12 species of birds, including the endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot) call the refuge home. Migratory waterfowl and shorebirds also frequent the refuge throughout the year. Monarch Butterfly 2018 ‘Apapane Hawaiian endemic bird. The Hawaiian Stilt or Ae`o as it is known in the Hawaiian language is a long-legged shoreline bird closely related to the black-necked stilts widely found elsewhere. The distinguished black and white body of the ae'o is supported by pink, long, thin legs. HAWAIIAN STILT (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) – Ae’o – (See images below) DESCRIPTION: The Hawaiian Stilt is a shorebird with very long pink legs (hence the bird’s name, stilt). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. English name: Hawaiian Stilt. Other avian predators include owls, herons, and Cattle egrets. google_ad_client = "pub-0655178832906040"; Hummingbird 2018. The Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) is an endangered Hawaiian subspecies of the black-necked stilt (H. mexicanus) species. READ ABOUT THE WETLAND. The Hawaiian Stilt is a subspecies of the Black-Necked Stilt, seen on the mainland U.S. mainly along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas and west to California, with the population also stretching south through Mexico and Central America to Brazil.Subspecies are often geologically isolated from other populations, as is the case with the Hawaiian Stilt. Abby's I'iwi . Their long pink legs seem perfect for water depths up to about 9 inches where they feed on worms, small crabs, aquatic insects, and small fish. It has a black back and white forehead, and is white below; the female has a tinge of brown on its back. As a written language it only has 12 letters – but two very important diacritical marks can dramatically change the meaning of Hawaiian words. Ae‘o: Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) This endangered subspecies of the Black-necked Stilt, has, for its size, among the longest legs of any bird in the world. To license an image for editorial or commercial use, click on the License Image button and fill out the form. Females are more brownish on the back than males, and immatures have more white on the face and sides of the neck. google_color_border = "FF9933"; Invasive mammals (feral cats, dogs, mongooses, and axis deer) are … Two ae’o, or Hawaiian stilts, walk through a Hawaii Kai park on a recent morning. The Hawaiian Stilt is a slender wading bird that grows up to 16 inches in length. Building Analysis - Aeo: ~ by Jonathan and Paul Ford Building and Site Features Ae'o is one of the newest planned high rises by the Howards Hughes Corporation and has been commonly referred to as the "Whole Foods Tower" for the highly anticipated, 50,000 sf Hawaii flagship Whole Foods Market that will occupy the base of the tower, along with an additional 12,000 sf of retail space. The Hawaiian Stilt is a subspecies of the Black-Necked Stilt, seen on the mainland U.S. mainly along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas and west to California, with the population also stretching south through Mexico and Central America to Brazil. Introduced species such as cats, rats, and mongooses have taken a toll on its population, and of course, much of the bird's habitat has been lost too. The Ae'o (Hawaiian Stilt), a tall slender wading bird is also endangered. Ninole, Big Island 2020. The taro fields of Hanalei in Kauai offer ideal habitat and stilts can be found wading through freshly harvested taro. Photo: DOFAW . It is estimated that only about 1500 birds exist today. The ae‘o is one of five subspecies of black-necked stilt. _The ae‘o is a slender wading bird that grows up to 15 inches in length. Other common names include the Hawaiian black-necked stilt, the aeÊ»o (from a Hawaiian name for the bird and word for stilts), the kukuluaeÊ»o (a Hawaiian name for the bird and word for “one standing high”), or it may be referred to as the Hawaiian subspecies of the black-necked stilt. Once hunted as a game bird, the Hawaiian Stilt is an endangered species. This subspecies looks a great deal like its mainland cousin, but has more black on the face and neck, along with a longer bill. Stilts will pretend to have an injured wing to draw predators away from their nests. Humpback Whale . Kauai Surfing Videotaped on March 16, 2013. Hawaiian Stilts are endangered due to hunting, loss of habitat, environmental contaminants, and introduced predators such as feral cats, rats, mongoose, and bullfrogs. Hunting or shooting the Hawaiian Stilt is illegal. Kuhio Shores,