Rosy-faced lovebirds have green bodies with bright blue feathers at the base of the tail just under the wingtips, and charismatic rosy face. This species is native to dryer habitats of southwestern Africa and moves in small flocks. Sexes alike.
Archives by Month:
Mitred parakeets have red foreheads and irregularly placed red facial feathers on an otherwise green body with somewhat long tails. This escapee from the pet trade is often seen in small flocks. Despite eradication attempts after its introduction in 1986 the mitred parakeet persists on the island of Maui. Originally, this species is native to ...
Read More mitred parakeet
Small flocks of orange-cheeked waxbills are often seen foraging in grasses for seed and small insects. They climb and hop on grass stems, sometimes dragging delicate stems to the ground to access the seed-heads. Both sexes have light brown backs, light underbellies, grey heads and orange cheek patches. Orange-cheeked waxbill, introduced to Hawaiʻi from West ...
Read More orange-cheeked waxbill
The red-crested cardinals are not actually related to cardinals, but are part of the tanager family instead. Regardless, their physical appearance is strikingly similar with their red head and crest while differing in their grey wings and white underbelly. This species is an introduced and well established resident in Hawaiʻi and has become a common ...
Read More red-crested cardinal
Chestnut munias are seed-eating finches with a preference for wet areas. Males are chestnut brown with black heads and hefty silver-blue beaks. Females are light brown with no back head mask. Originally southeast Asia and Indonesia these handsome escaped pets are now naturalized in Hawaiʻi.
The scaly-breasted munia, locally known as ricebirds, is also known in the pet trade as the nutmeg mannikin. These very tiny finches often flock together to feed on grass seed. They are brown and have a dark bill and spotted breast and are popular as pets.
Java Sparrows are large, full-bodied finches measuring over 5 ½ inches long. They were first introduced to Hawaiʻi in the 1960s on Oʻahu and they spread to the other main Hawaiian Islands quickly thereafter. They feed primarily on seeds and insects. Their head, chin, rear, and tail are black while their nack, wings, and chest ...
Read More Java sparrow
The first record of African silverbills in Hawaiʻi was in the 1970s. Like many of the small seed-eating birds, it can be most easily observed in dry areas and near water sources. They are only 4 ½ inches long with pale brown and light gray. Their bill is a blue-gray. Listen for them in small ...
Read More African silverbill
The red avadavat are sometimes called the strawberry finch, due to their red color and white spots (like the seeds on a strawberry). They travel in small flocks feeding on grass seeds in open areas, especially around water sources. They were brought to Hawaiʻi from Southeast Asia in the early 1900s.
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 ...
Read More common waxbill
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.
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.
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 ...
Read More yellow-fronted canary
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 ...
Read More house finch
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 ...
Read More northern cardinal