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| Subspecies: | Unknown |
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| Est. World Population: | 1250-1750 |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Near Threatened |
| U.S. ESA Status: | NOT LISTED |
| Body Length: | |
| Tail Length: | |
| Shoulder Height: | |
| Weight: | |
| Top Speed: | |
| Jumping Ability: | (Horizontal) |
| Life Span: | in the Wild |
| Life Span: | in Captivity |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Females) |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Males) |
| Litter Size: | |
| Gestation Period: | |
Habitat:
It can be expected on virtually any body of water, including estuaries, marshes and golf course wetlands (M. Reed in litt. 2007). It is typically a species of the coastal plain, usually found below 400 m, however some birds inhabit upland pools above 1,500 m on Kaua'i and montane stock ponds up to 2,000 m on Hawai'i (USFWS 2005). Breeding sites are characterised by robust emergent plants interspersed with open, fresh or brackish water, which is usually less than one metre deep. To some extent it is nomadic and irruptive, wandering between islands in response to the availability of water-bodies (Taylor and van Perlo 1998). It may nest in any month of the year (USFWS 2005).
Range:
Fulica alai is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (USA), where it is found on all the main islands except Kaho`olawe (USFWS 2005). Formerly, it was also absent from Lâna`i, which, along with Kaho`olawe, lacked suitable wetland habitat (USFWS 2005). Stragglers reach as far west as Kure in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Conservation:
Conservation Actions Underway
Hunting was prohibited in 1939, and the species has been fully protected by US law since 1970. Several key wetland areas have been acquired as refuges or sanctuaries, and other areas are protected by cooperative agreements. Predator control measures and restoration efforts are in place for some wetlands (USFWS 2021). There is partial monitoring of wetland areas and removal of carcasses for botulism outbreaks (USFWS 2021). The species is considered conservation reliant, with cessation of management likely to result in declines (van Rees et al. 2022).Conservation Actions Proposed
Determine the relative importance of threats (M. Reed in litt. 2007). Investigate whether herbicides and insecticides used on golf courses pose a serious threat to the species. Continue to monitor for avian botulism (USFWS 2021). Develop new tools to prevent botulism-related mortality (USFWS 2021). Continue annual state-wide waterbird counts (USFWS 2021).
Increase the area of protected wetlands (M. Reed in litt. 2007, USFWS 2021). Manage habitats, e.g. prevent ponds from drying out, or becoming overgrown by alien plants and create nesting islands inaccessible to introduced predators (Byrd et al. 1985, Engilis and Pratt 1993). Improve altered wetland hydrology as appropriate (USFWS 2021). Continue and expand predator control, and remove invasive plants (USFWS 2021). Where botulism is a problem, remove carcasses, manage water-levels and quality, treat sick birds and discourage or move healthy birds from affected areas (Morin 1996).
Hunting was prohibited in 1939, and the species has been fully protected by US law since 1970. Several key wetland areas have been acquired as refuges or sanctuaries, and other areas are protected by cooperative agreements. Predator control measures and restoration efforts are in place for some wetlands (USFWS 2021). There is partial monitoring of wetland areas and removal of carcasses for botulism outbreaks (USFWS 2021). The species is considered conservation reliant, with cessation of management likely to result in declines (van Rees et al. 2022).Conservation Actions Proposed
Determine the relative importance of threats (M. Reed in litt. 2007). Investigate whether herbicides and insecticides used on golf courses pose a serious threat to the species. Continue to monitor for avian botulism (USFWS 2021). Develop new tools to prevent botulism-related mortality (USFWS 2021). Continue annual state-wide waterbird counts (USFWS 2021).
Increase the area of protected wetlands (M. Reed in litt. 2007, USFWS 2021). Manage habitats, e.g. prevent ponds from drying out, or becoming overgrown by alien plants and create nesting islands inaccessible to introduced predators (Byrd et al. 1985, Engilis and Pratt 1993). Improve altered wetland hydrology as appropriate (USFWS 2021). Continue and expand predator control, and remove invasive plants (USFWS 2021). Where botulism is a problem, remove carcasses, manage water-levels and quality, treat sick birds and discourage or move healthy birds from affected areas (Morin 1996).