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common waxbill

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The common waxbill is a native of Africa and was first reported in Hawaiʻi in the late 1970s. They are most often seen feeding on grass seeds on the ground or in tall weeds. They are small at 4 inches and gray brown in color. Look for their brilliant red eye mask and they dart ...
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lavender waxbill

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The lavender waxbill prefers dry areas near water sources. Keep an eye out for it feeding on seeds and insects in lawns and tall grasses. While small at 4 ½ inches long, they are noticeable by their lavender-grey body with red rump and tail. They are native to Africa.

house sparrow

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The house sparrow is one of the most easily-seen birds in towns and around people. It is native to Eurasia, but was brought to Hawaiʻi from New Zealand in the early 1870s. At about 6 inches long, they are brown and grey with black streaks on their wings. Females are a dull brown.

yellow-fronted canary

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The yellow-fronted canary was brought in from Africa in the 1960s and is currently only established on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. Their facial markings look like a large dark X when viewed from the front. The canary travels in small flocks, feeding on insects and seeds. Small at 4 ½ inches long, they are a ...
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house finch

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

Native to western North America, the house finch was introduced to Hawaiʻi in the mid-1800s and are now common on all main islands. They are most common on the leeward or dry sides of the islands. A medium sized finch (about 5 ½ inches), house finches are mostly gray-brown with a boldly streaked breast and ...
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northern cardinal

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

First introduced in 1929, northern cardinals are now common throughout the state of Hawaiʻi. They are nine inches in length with a distinctive head crest. Males are red with a black patch around a red bill. Females are brown, but otherwise the same. Young birds are like females but with a black bill. Males have ...
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saffron finch

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

Introduced in 1965, saffron finches have expanded to most of Hawaiʻi Island especially in short grassy areas along the coasts and in open lawns. Adults are about 5 ½ inches, yellow in color with some stripes in the chest, black bill, and pink legs. Young birds have some yellow but are mostly gray-brown. Listen for ...
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yellow-billed cardinal

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

Native to South America, the yellow-billed cardinal is easily seen with their bright red head and namesake yellow beak. They also have black upperparts, a partial white collar that nearly meets at back of neck, white underparts, black chin and throat, and brown-pink legs and feet. Females are more gray with a brown head. They ...
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common myna

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The common mynah was introduced to Hawaiʻi from india in 1865 to control army worms. While not the most abundant bird in Hawaiʻi, the common mynah is probably the most well-known bird among locals. They are widespread and common. Adults measure 9 inches and are brown with a black head. They have a white wing ...
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northern mockingbird

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The northern mockingbird was first introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1928 by the Hui Manu society to help control insect pests and because of their pleasant song. At about 10 inches, they are fairly large song bird with a long tail. With a gray-brown body with paler chest and belly, they have distinct white wing patches ...
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red-billed leiothrix

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The red-billed leiothrix, or Chinese hill robin, is a beautiful and popular cage bird. This spunky bird is very noisy and can often be heard “scolding” human trespassers before they even knew one was nearby. They eat fruit and play a role in dispersing seeds throughout the forest. They only reach about 5 inches in ...
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Chinese hwamei

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The hwamei, or melodious laughing-thrush, is originally from central China. First released on Oʻahu as escapees during a fire. They were then purposefully introduced to the other islands. A secretive brown forest bird with a white eye-line, it is rarely seen but conspicuous by its long melodic song.

warbling white-eye

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

At about 4 inches, the mejiro, or Japanese white-eye, is very common in Hawaiʻi. A fast-moving green bird, their white eye rings makes them stand out. They are omnivorous and feed mostly on insects and nectar. Mejiro were first introduced to Hawai’I in 1929 to help control insect pests but they are now the most ...
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Japanese bush-warbler

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The uguisu or Japanese bush warbler is less than 6-inches long with drab brown feathers and pale eyebrows. A secretive bird, they hide in dense foliage and so, more often than not, the average bird watcher will hear this bird rather than see it. It has a loud sustained whistle followed by several quick notes ...
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Eurasian skylark

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in

The melodious Eurasian skylark was first introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1870 and were released on Hawaiʻi island in 1902. Mostly brown on top and paler below, the over seven-inch skylark looks relatively plain. It spends most of its time on the ground but during courtship the male will hover at about 200 feet up in ...
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