Birding Hawaii Extravaganza: 3 Key Islands for Birding: Oahu Island, Kauai and Big Island Plus Pelagic Day
Most birders add over fifty and sometimes sixty bird species to their ABA list with this trip to three of these endemic-rich/specialty-rich islands of Hawaii. You will love seeing over twenty Hawaiian endemic bird species (see below). You will see some of the islands’ other specialty birds including Red-footed Booby, White Tern, Mariana Swiftlet, Bristle-thighed Curlew, two (sometimes three) species of tropicbirds, plus more.
More details about this trip:
This tour also adds a pelagic trip (best February/March and September to November) and also adds another dozen species, including Newell’s Shearwater, Laysan Albatross, and more. This will also add more chances (as compared to the land only Hawaiian tour) to see Hawaiian Petrel and all the Tropicbirds (including Red-tailed Tropicbird).
A number of spectacular introduced species (see list below) are now countable in the ABA area and will also add to your tally of ABA-area birds. Likely species include Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Japanese Bush Warbler, Chinese Hwamei, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Red Avadavat and Kalij Pheasant.
The Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (Honey Creeper Heaven) offers one of the top Hawaiian birding experiences. In one day, you will likely see ten Hawaiian endemic bird species, including six species of honeycreepers (Hawaii Creeper (Alawi), Apapane, I’iwi, Hawaii Amakihi, Hawaii Akepa and Akiapolaau). Plus, you will see several other Hawaiian endemic bird species, including Hawaiian Hawk, Hawaiian Goose, Puaiohi, Omao and Hawaii Elepaio. Because this is a restricted area, the birding group will have the place to themselves (on most visits).
Pricing: $5,990 USD or £4,720 GBP, for 10 Days and 9 Nights
Group Size: Price is based on a group size of 7 participants.
Upcoming Dates:
October 15 to 24, 2025
February 18 to 27, 2026
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Video Conference on Hawaii Birding with
PIB Guide
(see link below)
Mammals
Humpback Whale, Hawaiian Monk Seal, Spinner Dolphin, Spotted Dolphin, Short-finned Pilot Whale
Birds
Hawaiian native species: Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Duck, Hawaiian Coot, Pacific Golden-Plover, Bristle-thighed Curlew, Brown Noddy, Black Noddy, White Tern, White-tailed Tropicbird, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Laysan Albatross, Hawaiian Petrel, Bulwer’s Petrel, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Great Frigatebird, Brown Booby, Red-footed Booby, Hawaiian Hawk, Hawaii Elepaio, Kauai Elepaio, Oahu Elepaio, Omao, Palila, Apapane, Iiwi, Akiapolaau, Anianiau, Hawaii Amakihi, Oahu Amakihi, Kauai Amakihi, Hawaii Creeper, and Hawaii Akepa. Additional pelagic species possible, depending on the time of year, may include Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Leach’s Storm-Petrel, Juan Fernandez Petrel, Black-winged Petrel, Mottled Petrel, Newell’s Shearwater, and Christmas Shearwater.
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Rare but possible endemics: Puaiohi, Akikiki, and Akekee.
Introduced species: Erckel’s Francolin, Black Francolin, Gray Francolin, Red Junglefowl, Kalij Pheasant, Spotted Dove, Zebra Dove, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Mariana Swiftlet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Eurasian Skylark, Red-vented Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Japanese Bush Warbler, Japanese White-eye, Chinese Hwamei, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Red-billed Leiothrix, White-rumped Shama, Yellow-fronted Canary, Red-crested Cardinal, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Saffron Finch, Common Waxbill, Red Avadavat, African Silverbill, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, and Java Sparrow
Other Highlights
Waikiki Beach, Koolau Mountains, Alakai Wilderness Preserve, Kokee State Park, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We can help you with trip extensions, including a pelagic birding adventure and a visit to Pearl Harbor.
