Asio flammeus sandwichensis | Hawaiian short-eared owl | pueo
Endemic
The majestic pueo is Hawaiʻi’s endemic owl. At about 15-inches tall, they are brown and beige with dark brown streaks and piercing yellow eyes. Unlike other owls, you’ll see pueo hunting during the day in open pastures and forests. Their exciting chase is punctuated with a hover over their prey of mice, insects, or birds before they fold their wings and dive down to make the catch. Pueo are often revered as ʻaumakua, or family guardian spirits by many Hawaiians.
Listen to pueo call
Hotspots for Hawaiian short-eared owl
- Hosmer Grove (Haleakalā National Park) | Details for Hosmer Grove (Haleakalā National Park)
- Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a ʻŌhiʻa Trail | Details for Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a ʻŌhiʻa Trail
- Waiki‘i (off Old Saddle Road) | Details for Waiki‘i (off Old Saddle Road)
- Palila Forest Discovery Trail | Details for Palila Forest Discovery Trail
- Pu‘u Huluhulu Trail | Details for Pu‘u Huluhulu Trail
Hosmer Grove (Haleakalā National Park)
Dry forest










Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a ʻŌhiʻa Trail
Dry forestPasture and grasslands





Waiki‘i (off Old Saddle Road)
Pasture and grasslands


Palila Forest Discovery Trail
Dry forest




Pu‘u Huluhulu Trail
Dry forest





