The seabird research team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is working with many partners to map the terrestrial and marine distributions of breeding seabirds of the main Hawaiian islands.
Native Hawaiian seabirds spend the vast majority of their lives at sea and use these waters for foraging, resting, and commuting. When on land, many Hawaiian seabirds are concentrated at colonies located throughout the main islands, where they face threats from invasive species, introduced predators, and human disturbance. While at sea, Hawaiian seabirds could be affected by offshore wind energy development in the future. Under its clean energy initiative, the state of Hawaiʻi is striving for 100% renewable energy by 2045. The ocean surrounding Hawaiʻi is characterized by sustained trade winds that have generated interest for developing potential offshore wind energy infrastructure. USGS WERC research on the distributions of native Hawaiian seabirds is generating data to inform species management and marine planning in the region.
Tracking Seabird Movements
In order to provide new information on Hawaiian breeding seabird distribution, habitat use, and ranging behaviors at sea, the USGS Western Ecological Research Center has used GPS trackers to extensively track seabird movements within waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands. These tracking data are intended to inform marine spatial planning, in particular the evaluation of proposed renewable energy sites and environmental review of specific renewable energy project proposals. By mapping the movements of seabird species, USGS provides resource managers with the ability to determine where seabird activity overlaps with proposed energy infrastructure.
Atlas of Breeding Seabirds of the Main Hawaiian Islands
Because federal, state, and local resource managers lack comprehensive, easily available data to map current seabird colony locations and breeding population sizes throughout the main Hawaiian Islands, the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is working with many partners to generate an Atlas of Breeding Seabirds of the Main Hawaiian Islands. The atlas will provide benchmarks to measure future changes in seabird population sizes and breeding distribution and will also assist efforts to evaluate threats to seabirds both on land and at sea.
Ultimately, species- and colony-specific data for main Hawaiian Island seabirds on land and at sea will inform evaluations of potential risk and options for mitigation strategies for effects of offshore energy infrastructure on seabirds.
Products
Felis, J.J., Kelsey, E.C., Adams, J., Stenske, J.G., and White, L.M., 2020, Population estimates for selected breeding seabirds at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauaʻi, in 2019: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1130, 32 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1130
Felis, J.J., Kelsey, E.C., Adams, J., Stenske, J.G., and White, L.M., 2020, Population estimates for selected breeding seabirds at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauaʻi, in 2019: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P93MPDR1
Adams, J, Felis, JJ, Czapanskiy, MF. 2020. Habitat Affinities and At-Sea Ranging Behaviors among
Main Hawaiian Island Seabirds: Breeding Seabird Telemetry, 2013–2016. Camarillo (CA): U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific OCS Region. OCS Study BOEM 2020-006. 111 pages. https://espis.boem.gov/final%20reports/BOEM_2020-006.pdf
Felis, J.J., Czapanskiy, M.F., and Adams, J., 2020, At-sea ranging behavior of seabirds breeding in the main Hawaiian Islands: Bio-logger data release (ver. 2.0, May 2020): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9NTEXM6
Donahue, S.E., J. Adams, M. Renshaw, B. Olds, and K. David Hyrenbach. 2020. Genetic analysis of the diet of Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula) provisioning chicks at Ulupaʻu Crater, Oʻahu. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3470
Donahue, S.E., Adams, J. and Hyrenbach, K.D., 2021. Multidecadal comparison of Red-footed Booby Sula sula diet at Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu, Hawai'i. Marine Ornithology, 49, pp.51-55.
Varela, A.I., Brokordt, K., Ismar-Rebitz, S.M.H., Gaskin, C.P., Carlile, N., O'Dwyer, T., Adams, J., VanderWerf, E.A., and Luna-Jorquera, G. 2020. Are recovered seabird colonies of the Pacific Ocean genetically vulnerable? the case of the red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, as a model species. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3471
Orben, R.A., J. Adams, M. Hester, S.A. Shaffer, R. Suryan, T. Deguchi, K. Ozaki, F. Sato, L.C. Young, M.G. Conners, D.A. Kroodsma, L.G. Torres. 2021. Across boarders: External and intrinsic factors influence North Pacific albatross interactions with fishing vessels. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13849
Adams, J., Kelsey, E.C., Stenske, J., and Felis, J.J., 2022, Aerial counts for surface-nesting seabirds at Lehua Island and Moku Manu Islet and Ulupaʻu Crater, Oʻahu, in 2019: Data Report 1161, 20 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1161.
Kelsey, E.C., Adams, J., Felis, J.J., Stenske, J.G., and Horton, C.A., 2022, Digital imagery used for aerial counts for surface-nesting seabirds at Lehua Island and Moku Manu Islet and Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu in 2019: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9P434NO.
Collaborators
- American Bird Conservancy
- Archipelago Research and Conservation
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific OCS Region
- Haleakalā National Park
- Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
- Hawaiʻi Pacific University
- Kalaupapa National Historical Park
- Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird Recovery Project
- Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project
- Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi
- Molokaʻi Land Trust
- The Nature Conservancy
- Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge
- Pacific Rim Conservation
- University of Hawaiʻi
-
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Birds and Habitat Program
-
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Island Fish and Wildlife Office
Banner photos: close-up of a Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) aerial display, Makapili Rock at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, and a White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lebturus) in flight over Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on a stormy morning. All photo credits: Jonathan Felis, USGS
Digital Imagery Used for Aerial Counts for Surface-Nesting Seabirds at Lehua Island and Moku Manu Islet and Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu in 2019
Population Estimates for Selected Breeding Seabirds at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauai, in 2019
Aerial counts for surface-nesting seabirds at Lehua Island and Moku Manu Islet and Ulupaʻu Crater, Oʻahu, in 2019
Across borders: External factors and prior behaviour influence North Pacific albatross associations with fishing vessels
Population estimates for selected breeding seabirds at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauaʻi, in 2019
Multidecadal comparison of Red-footed Booby Sula sula diet at Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu, Hawai'i
Genetic analysis of the diet of red‐footed boobies (Sula sula) provisioning chicks at Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu
Genetic diversity, population structure, and historical demography of a highly vagile and human‐impacted seabird in the Pacific Ocean: The red‐tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda
Habitat affinities and at-sea ranging behaviors among main Hawaiian Island seabirds: Breeding seabird telemetry, 2013–2016
- Overview
The seabird research team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is working with many partners to map the terrestrial and marine distributions of breeding seabirds of the main Hawaiian islands.
Brown booby (Sula leucogaster) with chick. (Credit: Jonathan Felis, USGS. Public domain.) Native Hawaiian seabirds spend the vast majority of their lives at sea and use these waters for foraging, resting, and commuting. When on land, many Hawaiian seabirds are concentrated at colonies located throughout the main islands, where they face threats from invasive species, introduced predators, and human disturbance. While at sea, Hawaiian seabirds could be affected by offshore wind energy development in the future. Under its clean energy initiative, the state of Hawaiʻi is striving for 100% renewable energy by 2045. The ocean surrounding Hawaiʻi is characterized by sustained trade winds that have generated interest for developing potential offshore wind energy infrastructure. USGS WERC research on the distributions of native Hawaiian seabirds is generating data to inform species management and marine planning in the region.
Tracking Seabird Movements
In order to provide new information on Hawaiian breeding seabird distribution, habitat use, and ranging behaviors at sea, the USGS Western Ecological Research Center has used GPS trackers to extensively track seabird movements within waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands. These tracking data are intended to inform marine spatial planning, in particular the evaluation of proposed renewable energy sites and environmental review of specific renewable energy project proposals. By mapping the movements of seabird species, USGS provides resource managers with the ability to determine where seabird activity overlaps with proposed energy infrastructure.
Atlas of Breeding Seabirds of the Main Hawaiian Islands
Because federal, state, and local resource managers lack comprehensive, easily available data to map current seabird colony locations and breeding population sizes throughout the main Hawaiian Islands, the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is working with many partners to generate an Atlas of Breeding Seabirds of the Main Hawaiian Islands. The atlas will provide benchmarks to measure future changes in seabird population sizes and breeding distribution and will also assist efforts to evaluate threats to seabirds both on land and at sea.
Ultimately, species- and colony-specific data for main Hawaiian Island seabirds on land and at sea will inform evaluations of potential risk and options for mitigation strategies for effects of offshore energy infrastructure on seabirds.
Products
Felis, J.J., Kelsey, E.C., Adams, J., Stenske, J.G., and White, L.M., 2020, Population estimates for selected breeding seabirds at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauaʻi, in 2019: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1130, 32 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1130
Felis, J.J., Kelsey, E.C., Adams, J., Stenske, J.G., and White, L.M., 2020, Population estimates for selected breeding seabirds at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauaʻi, in 2019: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P93MPDR1
Adams, J, Felis, JJ, Czapanskiy, MF. 2020. Habitat Affinities and At-Sea Ranging Behaviors among
Main Hawaiian Island Seabirds: Breeding Seabird Telemetry, 2013–2016. Camarillo (CA): U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific OCS Region. OCS Study BOEM 2020-006. 111 pages. https://espis.boem.gov/final%20reports/BOEM_2020-006.pdfFelis, J.J., Czapanskiy, M.F., and Adams, J., 2020, At-sea ranging behavior of seabirds breeding in the main Hawaiian Islands: Bio-logger data release (ver. 2.0, May 2020): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9NTEXM6
Donahue, S.E., J. Adams, M. Renshaw, B. Olds, and K. David Hyrenbach. 2020. Genetic analysis of the diet of Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula) provisioning chicks at Ulupaʻu Crater, Oʻahu. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3470
Donahue, S.E., Adams, J. and Hyrenbach, K.D., 2021. Multidecadal comparison of Red-footed Booby Sula sula diet at Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu, Hawai'i. Marine Ornithology, 49, pp.51-55.
Varela, A.I., Brokordt, K., Ismar-Rebitz, S.M.H., Gaskin, C.P., Carlile, N., O'Dwyer, T., Adams, J., VanderWerf, E.A., and Luna-Jorquera, G. 2020. Are recovered seabird colonies of the Pacific Ocean genetically vulnerable? the case of the red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, as a model species. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3471
Orben, R.A., J. Adams, M. Hester, S.A. Shaffer, R. Suryan, T. Deguchi, K. Ozaki, F. Sato, L.C. Young, M.G. Conners, D.A. Kroodsma, L.G. Torres. 2021. Across boarders: External and intrinsic factors influence North Pacific albatross interactions with fishing vessels. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13849
Adams, J., Kelsey, E.C., Stenske, J., and Felis, J.J., 2022, Aerial counts for surface-nesting seabirds at Lehua Island and Moku Manu Islet and Ulupaʻu Crater, Oʻahu, in 2019: Data Report 1161, 20 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1161.
Kelsey, E.C., Adams, J., Felis, J.J., Stenske, J.G., and Horton, C.A., 2022, Digital imagery used for aerial counts for surface-nesting seabirds at Lehua Island and Moku Manu Islet and Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu in 2019: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9P434NO.
Collaborators
- American Bird Conservancy
- Archipelago Research and Conservation
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific OCS Region
- Haleakalā National Park
- Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
- Hawaiʻi Pacific University
- Kalaupapa National Historical Park
- Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird Recovery Project
- Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project
- Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi
- Molokaʻi Land Trust
- The Nature Conservancy
- Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge
- Pacific Rim Conservation
- University of Hawaiʻi
-
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Birds and Habitat Program
-
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Island Fish and Wildlife Office
Example GPS tracks of breeding Hawaiian seabirds from breeding colonies in main Hawaiian Islands. Inset map shows close up of example tracks from colonies on Kauaʻi. Species tracked are Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis; top left, pink), Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica; bottom left, grey), Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda; bottom middle, red), and Red-footed Booby (Sula sula; bottom right, light blue). Banner photos: close-up of a Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) aerial display, Makapili Rock at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, and a White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lebturus) in flight over Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on a stormy morning. All photo credits: Jonathan Felis, USGS
- Data
Digital Imagery Used for Aerial Counts for Surface-Nesting Seabirds at Lehua Island and Moku Manu Islet and Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu in 2019
This data release is a product of Atlas of Breeding Seabirds of the Main Hawaiian Islands (https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/5fc0045cd34e4b9faad7ef37). Specific results and details about methods and additional information useful for interpreting these data can be found in the data series report: Adams, J., Kelsey, E.C., Stenske, J., and Felis, J.J., 2022, Aerial counts for surface-nesting sPopulation Estimates for Selected Breeding Seabirds at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauai, in 2019
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (KPNWR) is an important seabird breeding site located at the northeastern tip of Kauai in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). Despite the regional significance of KPNWR as one of the most important breeding sites for Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda), Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula), and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna pacifica) in MHI, robust and ac - Publications
Aerial counts for surface-nesting seabirds at Lehua Island and Moku Manu Islet and Ulupaʻu Crater, Oʻahu, in 2019
Among important seabird breeding sites in the main Hawaiian Islands, Lehua Island offshore Niʻihau and Moku Manu Islets offshore Oʻahu support diverse and abundant seabird breeding populations. Both offshore islands provide excellent nesting habitat for surface-nesting boobies (Sula spp.) and terns but, of the two, only Moku Manu supports relatively large breeding populations of Sooty Tern (OnychoAuthorsJosh Adams, Emily C. Kelsey, Jennilyn Stenske, Jonathan J. FelisAcross borders: External factors and prior behaviour influence North Pacific albatross associations with fishing vessels
Understanding encounters between marine predators and fisheries across national borders and outside national jurisdictions offers new perspectives on unwanted interactions to inform ocean management and predator conservation. Although seabird–fisheries overlap has been documented at many scales, remote identification of vessel encounters has lagged because vessel movement data often are lacking.HeAuthorsRachael A Orben, Josh Adams, Michelle M. Hester, Scott A. Shaffer, Robert M. Suryan, Tomo Deguchi, Kiyoaki Ozaki, Fumio Sato, Lindsay C. Young, Corey A. Clatterbuck, Melinda G. Conners, David A Kroodsma, Leigh G TorresPopulation estimates for selected breeding seabirds at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kauaʻi, in 2019
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (KPNWR) is an important seabird breeding site located at the northeastern tip of Kauaʻi in the main Hawaiian Islands. Despite the regional significance of KPNWR as one of the most important breeding sites for red-tailed tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda), red-footed boobies (Sula sula), and wedge-tailed shearwaters (Ardenna pacifica) in the main Hawaiian IslanAuthorsJonathan J. Felis, Emily C. Kelsey, Josh Adams, Jennilyn G. Stenske, Laney M. WhiteMultidecadal comparison of Red-footed Booby Sula sula diet at Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu, Hawai'i
We describe the diet of Red-footed Boobies Sula sula nesting at Ulupaʻu Crater, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi based on 106 regurgitations collected during 2014 and 2015. We also compare our results to a diet study at this colony five decades earlier. Both studies indicate that flying squid (Ommastrephidae) and flyingfish (Exocoetidae) are important prey for this population while provisioning chicks. In particulaAuthorsSarah E. Donahue, Josh Adams, K David HyrenbachGenetic analysis of the diet of red‐footed boobies (Sula sula) provisioning chicks at Ulupa'u Crater, O'ahu
The diet of red‐footed boobies (Sula sula) provisioning chicks was quantified using 106 regurgitations collected from 81 adults over two study years with contrasting oceanographic conditions: 2014 and 2015.A total of 1,049 prey items were sorted into three broad categories (fish, squid, and other, consisting of highly‐digested ‘mush’ and parasitic isopods) and assigned a categorical freshness valuAuthorsSarah E. Donahue, Josh Adams, Mark A Renshaw, K David HyrenbachGenetic diversity, population structure, and historical demography of a highly vagile and human‐impacted seabird in the Pacific Ocean: The red‐tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda
Many seabird breeding colonies have recovered from heavy anthropogenic disturbance after conservation actions. The widely distributed red‐tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, was used as a model species to assess potential anthropogenic impacts on the genetic diversity of breeding colonies in the Pacific Ocean.Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and control region sequences analyses were conducted aAuthorsAndrea I Varela, Katherina Brokordt, Stefanie M.H. Ismar‐Rebitz, Chris P Gaskin, Nicholas Carlile, Terence O'Dwyer, Josh Adams, Eric A. Vanderwerf, Guillermo Luna‐JorqueraHabitat affinities and at-sea ranging behaviors among main Hawaiian Island seabirds: Breeding seabird telemetry, 2013–2016
Recent Hawaiʻi state clean energy policy mandates and federal interest in developing offshore renewable energy resources have prompted unsolicited lease requests for offshore wind energy infrastructure (OWEI) to be located in ocean waters off Hawaiʻi. This study describing at-sea ranging behaviors for five seabirds was intended to provide new information on Hawaiian breeding seabird distribution aAuthorsJosh Adams, Jonathan J. Felis, Max Czapanskiy