Every year from September to December, seabird chicks throughout Hawaii leave their nests and make their first nocturnal flight from their nesting burrow to the sea. Guided by moonlight, the lights from cities, towns and homes can confuse these young
Every year from September to December, seabird chicks throughout Hawaii leave their nests and make their first nocturnal flight from their nesting burrow to the sea. Guided by moonlight, the lights from cities, towns and homes can confuse these young birds — and even some adults — and cause them to fall inland rather than continue out to the ocean.
Downed seabirds may acquire impact injuries and, once grounded, are also vulnerable to dangers including passing cars and predators. Help protect native seabirds by being prepared and knowing what to do in the event of finding a downed seabird.
For help identifying a bird, call the Hawaii Wildlife Center at (808) 884-5000 or consult the “What is a Seabird” guide, mauinuiseabirds.org/whats-a-seabird/
How to prepare: keep a clean towel, pillow case or large t-shirt and a ventilated cardboard box, pet carrier or other non-airtight container in vehicles. For people on foot, a towel will suffice.
Gently pick up the bird from behind with a towel, carefully wrapping the material completely around its back and wings. Place it in the ventilated container as soon as possible. Keep the container covered and in a quiet, cool location. Do not feed the bird, give it water or handle it. Do not attempt to release the bird, because it may have internal injuries or be too tired or weak to survive. Throwing the bird in the air could also cause additional harm.
Take the bird to a permitted wildlife rehabilitation center, wildlife response group or contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife office for further directions. On Hawaii Island, those numbers are Hawaii Wildlife Center: (808) 884-5000, and DOFAW, (808) 887-6063 or (808) 974-4226.
For more information, including a step-by-step breakdown on how to rescue a downed seabird and ways to reduce light attraction, visit the Hawaii Wildlife Center seabird fallout response page at hawaiiwildlifecenter.org/seabird-fallout-response.html.
