Phaethon lepturus | white-tailed tropicbird | koaʻe kea
indigenous
Other Names: koae kea, koa'e kea
Koaʻe kea, with their long white tail feathers, is a graceful flyer over the ocean. With a wingspan of about 3-feet, they are brilliant white with black streaks around its eyes and along wing edges. Feeding on fish and squid throughout the day, they nest and roost in the security of cliff faces and rock crevices. The long tail feathers were highly valued by Hawaiian artisans, especially in the making of kahili, or feather standards that surrounded royalty.
Hotspots for white-tailed tropicbird
- 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
- Leleiwi Overlook (Haleakalā National Park) | Details for Leleiwi Overlook (Haleakalā National Park)
- Open Ocean | Details for Open Ocean
- Keāhole Point | Details for Keāhole Point
Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary
Coastal Wetland


SIDE TRIP: Wai‘ānapanpa State Park
Open Ocean








Leleiwi Overlook (Haleakalā National Park)
Dry forest






Open Ocean
Open Ocean

Keāhole Point
Open Ocean


