Ardenna pacifica | wedge-tailed shearwater | ʻuaʻu kani
Indigenous
Other Names: uau kani, ua'u kani
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.
Hotspots for wedge-tailed shearwater
- Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge | Details for Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Māhā’ulepū Heritage Trail | Details for Māhā’ulepū Heritage Trail
- Salt Pond Beach Park | Details for Salt Pond Beach Park
- Nuʻupia Pond | Details for Nuʻupia Pond
- Kapiʻolani Park | Details for Kapiʻolani Park
- Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail | Details for Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
- Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park | Details for Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park
- Lānaʻi Lookout | Details for Lānaʻi Lookout
- James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge | Details for James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
- Kaʻena Point Trail | Details for Kaʻena Point Trail
- Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary | Details for Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary
- SIDE TRIP: Wai‘ānapanpa State Park | Details for SIDE TRIP: Wai‘ānapanpa State Park
- Open Ocean | Details for Open Ocean
- Keāhole Point | Details for Keāhole Point
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Coastal







Māhā’ulepū Heritage Trail
Coastal



Salt Pond Beach Park
Coastal






Nuʻupia Pond
Wetland


Kapiʻolani Park
Pasture and grasslands






Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
Coastal




Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park
Coastal




Lānaʻi Lookout
Coastal



James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Wetland



Kaʻena Point Trail
Coastal




Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary
Wetland



SIDE TRIP: Wai‘ānapanpa State Park
Coastal








Open Ocean
Open Ocean

Keāhole Point
Coastal


