February Newsletter 2024

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Education Program

Rehabilitation Manager, Jacqueline, and SOS volunteer, Tom at a class visit.

We had our first classroom visit of the year this month! One of our technicians visited a fourth-grade class to teach them about SOS and the birds we work with. If you are interested in SOS visiting your class or have any questions about outreach opportunities, visit the “Contact Us” page on our website!

We want to build our education materials around the wants and needs of our community. If you have any suggestions on topics you would like to see (e.g. threats to native species, medical topics) or format (e.g. PowerPoint presentation, group project) let us know through this google form!

Patient Spotlight

JEN509 a few days into care.

This ‘alae ‘ula / Hawaiian Gallinule came to SOS December 22, 2023. On intake, s/he wasn’t fully grown, was lethargic and unable to stand, and had a small scuff mark on his head. He was given fluids and heat to aid his recovery. We were happy to see that within a few days he was able to move around and was eating on his own!

JEN509's wing growth throughout care.

A rendering of how wing chord is measured (Identification Guide to North American Birds).

Even with a quick recovery this ‘alae ‘ula needed to stay in care until he was big enough to survive on his own. One of the many things we track through a youngster’s care is their wing chord measurement. We measure the length from their “wrist” to the tip of their feathers while in a relaxed position. This allows us to ensure that the wings are growing at an appropriate rate and gauge how much time is left before the bird is fully grown. We have species-specific minimum wing chord measurements that birds must reach prior to release. Over the course of his 42 days in care, this bird’s wing chord doubled in size! Once ready to be released, he was returned to Hanalei Wildlife Refuge.

Behind the Scenes

Left: One of our new incubators. Right: Our 'alae 'ula and koloa mounts.

Last year we provided a few updates on the Pacific Birds Partnership Grant we received, which gave us the opportunity to improve our native waterbird care. In 2023 we purchased two new incubators, which have supported many critical care patients, as well as our young birds that require supplemental heat. We have also been able to procure koloa maoli / Hawaiian Duck and ‘alae ‘ula / Hawaiian Gallinule mounts for educational purposes.

As our biggest enclosure, the aviary is 10 ft wide x 24 ft long x 12 ft high.

Now we are happy to announce that we officially finished constructing a new aviary! We are going through the final steps to get the enclosure added to our rehabilitation permits. The new space is much larger than any other enclosure we currently have! Birds will have plenty of room to fly and stretch their wings, as well as swim around in the conditioning pool. The enclosure is also rat-proof and offers rain protection, multiple substrates, and plenty of plants. We are excited to support the recovery of our waterbird patients with this improved housing option. Thank you to everyone that helped with construction including USFWS Kupu interns, SOS volunteers, and of course our amazing Facility Manager, Maddy, for the countless hours she put into building the aviary.
Mahalo nui loa to Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture for allowing us the opportunity to expand our waterbird resources and continue to improve our facilities.

We always have wish-list items and new enclosure projects in queue. If you’d like to help us care for Kaua‘i’s native birds in need by funding an item or project directly, please contact molly@saveourshearwaters.org. Mahalo for your kōkua!

Conservation Corner

KFBRP Field Season Blessing

Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project will be sharing their goals for the year at its annual blessing March 1st. It will be held at Kōke'e, learn more here.

SOS is an Unincorporated Nonprofit Association and fiscally sponsored by the Hawai'i Wildlife Center, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.

As the only Federal and State permitted wildlife facility on Kaua‘i, Save Our Shearwaters provides life-saving care to Hawai'i’s native birds in need. When you donate, you help us continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife. Mahalo nui loa from all of us at SOS (our feathered friends included)!

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February Newsletter 2024

Education Program

Patient Spotlight

Behind the Scenes

Conservation Corner

7370 Kuamoʻo Rd

Kapaʻa, HI 96746

(808) 635-5117

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