Big Island Birdwatching, Why it’s so special

The Big Island of Hawaii offers some of the most rewarding birdwatching opportunities in the Pacific. Its diverse ecosystems, from lush rainforests and high-elevation cloud forests to coastal wetlands and volcanic slopes, provide habitats for a remarkable variety of species. Birdwatchers can spot rare native Hawaiian birds such as the scarlet ‘i‘iwi with its distinctive curved beak, the ‘apapane flitting among ohia blossoms, and the endangered palila found on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Coastal areas like Kealakehe and Hilo Bay attract migratory seabirds and waterfowl, making them prime spots for year-round birding.