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Departure of the Kolea
Posted: April 19, 2008
The departure date for the Pacific Golden Plover or “Kolea” in Hawaiian is fast approaching. Each year, Kolea fly over 3,000 miles from their nesting grounds in the artic to winter in Hawaii and other Pacific Islands. Their return flight to Alaska, Siberia, and other artic destinations is synchronized to within a few days of April 25 — which is this Friday.
Historical accounts tell of a time when Kolea were so plentiful that massive flocks darkened the sky during their synchronized annual migration to Hawaii. When Kolea arrive in Hawaii in the fall, their plumage is light in color. They remain light in color for the next 6 or so months until just before they leave.
The most noticable sign of their leaving is the darkening of their plumage right before they depart, presumably to better match their artic nesting homes. The feathers on their faces, breasts and undersides turn black, and the mottled pattern on the topside of the bird intensifies.
The plumage change happens in less than 2 months. The first photo was taken on February 16 at Kapiolani Park on Oahu, the middle photo was taken on March 22 at West Loch Shoreline Park in Pearl Harbor, and the last photo was taken on April 9 at Liliuokalani Garden & Park in Hilo.
Kolea are one of the few birds who like human modified environments. They like open spaces and short grasses like lawns, parks, gardens, ball fields, and golf courses and are known to roost on rooftops at night to sleep. In the wild, they can be found at beaches, coastal areas, and marshes, and are known to sleep on boulders, trees or other elevated places.
Another sign of their departure is an increase in hunting and feeding behavior. Kolea must store considerable calories in order to sustain a 3,000 mile non-stop flight to the artic.
Look for kolea in your neighborhood this week and take note when they leave. They will depart en masse within a few days of April 25 – which is this Friday. Once they leave we won’t see them until later this fall when they’ll all suddenly reappear.
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Sources:
Hawaii Nature Center – http://www.hawaiinaturecenter.org/kolea/biology.html
New Zealand Birds — http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/pacificplover.html
Thahks for posting these marvelous images, especially the plumage change ones.
I saw my last kolea of thsi season late Friday afternoon (4/23/10); there were none in my neighborhood this morning and I usually see several. I think they are gone. I have become obsessed with these amazing birds. Now I will mark the days until their return in august.