Status of Forest Birds in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: Mixed Results for Native and Non-Native Species

A recent survey of landbirds and their habitats in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) reveals mixed population trends for both native and non-native species. While some native birds, such as the ʻApapane and Hawaiʻi ʻAmakihi, showed significant increases in certain tracts, others like the federally threatened ʻIʻiwi faced severe declines or local extinctions, particularly in areas where it was previously abundant. Non-native species exhibited varied patterns, with the Warbling White-eye declining while the Japanese Bush Warbler and Northern Cardinal expanded their presence. Conducted using point-transect distance sampling across seven tracts over two years (2020–2021), this study highlights the ongoing challenges for native landbirds due to habitat degradation, invasive species, predators, disease, and wildfire.

Judge, S., Paxton, K., Beck, A., & Camp, R. (2026). Status of Forest Birds in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: Mixed Results for Native and Non-Native Species (, Ed.). National Park Service. https://doi.org/10.36967/2318341