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Ae’o — Hawaiian Stilts — at Kaneohe Bay
Posted: March 16, 2008
I was thrilled to see Ae’o or Hawaiian Stilts along the shores of Kaneohe Bay on Oahu. Their long beaks, black and white plumage, and long pink legs make them a distinctive sight in the marshes, wetlands, and shorelines of Hawaii.
Ae’o (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) are water birds endemic to the Hawaiian Islands — they are found on all the main islands except Kahoolawe. Ae’o are endangered with only an estimated 1,500 birds remaining in the wild.
With coastal areas and wetlands being developed into residential and commercial projects, the habitat for Hawaiian Stilts has become increasingly limited.
Oahu is home to a stable population of Hawaiian Stilts. They can be seen along the shores of Pearl Harbor and Kaneohe Bay, in the marshes of Kawainui and Hamakua, and in the shrimp ponds and wetlands of Kahuku.
Ae’o grow to about 18 inches tall with well over half this height due to its distinctive long pink legs – “stilts” — for which the bird is named. Long legs allow them to stalk small fish, crabs, worms, and insects in deeper water. Ae’o also eat water plants and other greenery.
Nothing amuses me more than to see a flock ae’o with their long legs marching in unison. The distinctive movement of their long legs is a charming sight as they strut across the shoreline.
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Sources
Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife