The ʻuaʻu kani, or wedge-tailed shearwater, is the most abundant seabird across the state. This large shearwater is indigenous throughout the Pacific ocean and in Hawaiʻi this coastal burrowing seabird arrives in March to breed through September. Remarkably few breed on the Big Island compared to other Hawaiian Islands likely due to human impacts (like our pets). Unfortunately, a single cat has been known to wipe out an entire colony ( over 100 birds!) of these vulnerable ground nesting birds.

The map below shows hotspots along our birding trails where you might see this bird. Learn more by visiting our species profile page for ʻuaʻu kani.