The Fiery ʻAlae ʻUla 🔥
Bird Droppings: 10 Things We Want to Share About ʻAlae ʻUla, the Hawaiian Gallinule
1. The ʻalae ʻula is a waterbird found only in Hawaiʻi, meaning it is endemic. It’s also endangered due to wetland losses.
2. Only about 700 ʻalae ʻula remain, all in Kauaʻi and Oʻahu wetlands.
3. This member of the rail family is also called the Hawaiian Gallinule. Gallinule (GA-lih-nule) originates from the Latin word gallinula, meaning little hen.
4. In Hawaiian mythlogy, the ʻalae ʻula brought fire from the gods, burning its forehead red.
5. If you think you’ve seen these birds in other parts of the world you’re not seeing things. The ʻalae ʻula has similar-looking relatives worldwide.
6. Other names for this bird group are moorhens and marsh hens. Most have red front shields on their heads.
7. In North, Central, and South America, the ʻalae ʻula’s close cousin is called the Common Gallinule. In Europe, Asia, and Africa, a close cousin is called the Eurasian Moorhen.
8. ʻAlae ʻula eat plants, insects, and other tiny animals associated with wetlands.
9. Despite their lack of webbed feet, ʻalae ʻula are good swimmers. The long toes allow the birds to walk on top of wetland plants.
10. Because Hāmākua Marsh is adjacent to Kailua shops, it’s common to see ʻalae ʻula in parking lots there (below photo.)
