Indigenous, not endangered
Hawaiian Name: ‘Ua‘u kani
Scientific Name: Ardenna pacifica
Family: Procellariidae
Population
World: Over a million pairs
Northwest Hawaiian Islands: about 230,000 pairs
Main Hawaiian Islands: 67,000 pairs in early 2000s
Maui Nui: at least 6500 pairs as of 2012 census
Feeding
- Highly pelagic
Diet: Goatfish, Flying fish, flying squid, Squirrelfish
Feeding techniques:
- Surface-seizing: grabbing fish while sitting on surface
- Pursuit-plunging: chasing after fish underwater
- Contact-dipping: Flies low over water and catches fish while flying
Breeding
Known breeding colonies: Maui (Kamaole Beach Park III, Ho‘okipa, Hawea Point), Lāna‘i (Hulopoe), Moloka‘i (Mo‘omomi), Oahu (Ka‘ena point), Northwest Hawaiian islands and many offshore islets of Maui, Molokai, Lāna‘i & Oahu
- Long-term pair bonds
- Often return to natal colonies
- Return to same site year after year
- Lay 1 egg per breeding season
- Biparental care
Biparental care Incubation period: 52-55 days Chick period: 100-115 days
Nest habitat: Excavate burrows in firm sand, grass, or rock crevices
Life Cycle
Mid-March-Late April: Adults arrive at colonies at night.
- Clean out nests/Dig new nests
- Re-establish pair bond via calling
May: Pre-laying exodus
- Adults leave colonies
June: Egg-laying
June-July: Incubation
Early August: Chick hatching
- Parents take turns feeding chick by regurgitation
November-December: Chick fledging
‘Ua‘u kani Brochures
For even more detailed information about this seabird, download:
MNSRP ‘Ua‘u kani Brochure (pictured below)
