The Hawaiian archipelago is comprised of an alluring stretch of islands. islets, and atolls located in the Northern Pacific Ocean. Many of the native birds are found nowhere else in the world and are often admired for their captivating characteristics. To date, there are 71 groups or "taxa" of birds endemic to the islands of Hawaii. Unfortunately 23 of those groups are now extinct and some 30 groups have been placed on the endangered species list as a result of disease and loss of habitat. Birds that are indigenous to the islands come from different orders including: geese and ducks, petrels and shearwaters, finches, hawks, and coots. This impressive variety is a constant reminder of Hawaii's undeniable appeal and how important it is to preserve those species that still exist today.

The Nene goose
The Nene goose or Branta sandvicensis, is the official state bird of Hawaii and it is widely thought to be an ancestor of the Canadian goose. The Nene goose is a good flyer even though it is a fairly large bird which stands at 16 inches in length; this is attributed to the reduced webbing of their feet. Simply put, the Nene goose is a beautiful black and white bird with slight hues of brown, displayed in what can only be described as the waving patterns of its very intricately lain feathers. These geese are herbivores, and feed on a diet of mainly berries and leaves. The Nene goose can be found in Maui, Hawaii, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe and Kauai.

The Laysan duck
The Laysan duck or Anas laysanensis is thought to be have evolved from East Asian Mallards, and is one of the endemic Hawaiian birds that also can be found on the endangered species list. They are small ducks that do not practice diving, but instead feed at the surface of the water. In addition to this, they have the ability to run on land where they will sometimes feed. The Laysan ducks are dark brown with hints of teal peeping through the thick feathers on their wings. They have a distinct white area around the eyes, their bills are short and dark green (or blotchy in the case of the males), and they have brightly colored orange feet. They feed on small organisms, algae and other vegetation.

The Hawaiian duck
The Hawaiian duck or Anas wyvilliana bears a slight resemblance to, and should not be confused with, the Laysan duck as the Hawaiian variety are considered to be descendants of Mallards as well. They can be identified as having thick brown feathers with a patch of color on their wings; their bills are olive green in males, and slightly orange with dark markings in females. These ducks are characteristically found in pairs rather than in large groups, and they will feed on pond vegetation as well as insects and mollusks. The Hawaiian duck is mainly found on eight of the larger Hawaiian Islands, but there have been efforts to spread these birds to some of the smaller islands as well.

Northern Cardinal
Another species of bird found in the Hawaiian island system is the Northern Cardinal or Cardinalis cardinalis, also known as the Redbird. And while it is not endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, it may be found on Oahu and on the big island of Hawaii as well. The male bird is hard to miss: its coat is covered with different tones of red, contrasted by a black mask on its face. Their bills and feet also have the same red hues as their bodies. The females are mainly gray in color with hints of red distributed through their feathers. The Redbird feeds mainly by foraging on the ground, eating shrubs, weeds and small insects.

The Hawaiian Hawk
The Hawaiian Hawk or Buteo solitarius is a relatively large bird. It is endemic to Hawaii but can only now be found on the big Island; hence it is situated on the endangered species list. These birds have a large wingspan, and can also be described as tall birds measuring up to 46 inches in height. The Hawk appears mostly white, however its color changes to a deep brown and black on the feathers of its wing. Its bill is ashy gray and its feet are slightly yellow. These birds feed on rodents, smaller birds, and small insects. Very critical to their survival is that they usually lay just one egg during their breeding season from March to September. This figure can go up to as much as three, but this is not common.

The Hawaiian Coot
The Hawaiian Coot or Fulica alai is a water bird that can live in freshwater sources as well as saline (salt water) lagoons. These birds are both endemic to and endangered in the state of Hawaii. The endangerment of these birds has mainly come from the destruction of their habitat, as well as from the threat of predators such as the Asian Mongoose. The Hawaiian Coot is black with white or cream colored bills, and can be found in marsh lands. These birds have been placed on the endangered species list since 1970 and still remain there today. They have come under serious environmental threat; and only by preserving marsh lands and their wider habitat can these birds be saved.

The Hawaiian Honeycreeper
The Palila Loxioides bailleui is commonly called the Hawaiian Honeycreeper. This bird is also a beautiful yellow headed and breasted finch that is endemic to Hawaii, and is also deemed as critically endangered due to the destruction of its habitat. This bird is simply beautiful; it has a small dark brown bill with hints of bronze, and its eyes are black which stand out against its yellow head. This yellow continues onto the breast until it eventually meets the white feathers closer to its feet. The yellow color can also be found splashed on its wings of gray and black. The Palila's diet consists of the young seeds of Mamane which are said to be toxic. The birds also eat berries and fruits.

Apapane
Another locally found bird is the Apapane or Himatione sanguine. Like the Palila Loxioides bailleui, this bird is also a Hawaiian Honeycreeper finch. The Apapane birds are indeed a majestic site. When they mature, these feathered beauties have a coat of crimson red feathers with hints of black at the tips of their wings. Their bird bills are long, black and slender and so are their feet. The Apapane birds live at high altitudes, usually above 1200 meters. They do not often feed from the forest floor; instead they go from flower to flower, sucking nectar with their long bills. They have also been known to eat small insects. The Apapane are found mainly on Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Oahu.

Hawaii has experienced dramatic changes in its bird population since the arrival of the first Polynesian settlers. The remote island chain, which was once solely inhabited by birds and other exotic animals, is now a thriving tourist destination. While the islands have lost little of their original charm, its bird population continues to decline. Yet, there is still hope for many of the magnificent winged creatures that have made the tropical paradise their home. Special measures which are currently enforced throughout the archipelago, have placed top priority on preserving those that are considered endangered. The spectacular variety of birds found on the relatively small cluster of islands are worth the effort needed to sustain their blighted population. They are an integral part of the natural ecosystem and are symbolic of the islands' unmatched beauty and distinctive environment.

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