Welcome to the Koloa maoli research webpage!
In 2009, Oregon State University in collaboration with Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC) initiated a multi-year research project to better understand the ecology of the federally endangered Koloa. Since then, our list of partners has grown considerably and includes both government and non-government agencies and organizations, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coast Joint Venture (PCJV), Kīlauea Point Natural History Association, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), University of California-Davis, Ducks Unlimited Canada, North Star Science and Technology, American Bird Conservancy, and California Waterfowl Association. Please visit the Koloa Partners page to see a full list of project supporters that made this research possible.
The Koloa maoli Research Website is intended to provide information on both our past and ongoing research activities focused on this island-endemic dabbling duck. In addition, you may use this site to submit Koloa band sightings, view our photo gallery, find additional resources related to Koloa ecology and conservation, and ask questions.
In 2009, Oregon State University in collaboration with Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC) initiated a multi-year research project to better understand the ecology of the federally endangered Koloa. Since then, our list of partners has grown considerably and includes both government and non-government agencies and organizations, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Pacific Coast Joint Venture (PCJV), Kīlauea Point Natural History Association, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), University of California-Davis, Ducks Unlimited Canada, North Star Science and Technology, American Bird Conservancy, and California Waterfowl Association. Please visit the Koloa Partners page to see a full list of project supporters that made this research possible.
The Koloa maoli Research Website is intended to provide information on both our past and ongoing research activities focused on this island-endemic dabbling duck. In addition, you may use this site to submit Koloa band sightings, view our photo gallery, find additional resources related to Koloa ecology and conservation, and ask questions.
Why study this little, brown duck?
The Hawaiian Duck (Anas wyvilliana), or Koloa maoli which translates to "native duck" in Hawaiian, is the only endemic duck species remaining in the Main Hawaiian Islands. The Koloa is closely related to the widespread Mallard (A. platyrhynchos) and the isolated Laysan Duck (A. laysanensis; see photos below). Once
common on all of the main Hawaiian Islands except Lāna‘i and Kaho‘olawe, the
Koloa experienced significant population declines during the twentieth
century and was extirpated from all islands within their historic range except
Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau by 1962. Primary reasons for this rapid decline included wetland habitat loss, overhunting, and introduced
predators (e.g., mongoose, feral cats).
Since 1962, Koloa have been re-introduced to the Big Island. They have also been reintroduced to O’ahu and Maui; however, failure to remove feral Mallards prior to re-introduction has resulted in hybridization between these two species on those islands. Thus, Kaua’i and Ni’ihau are the last true strongholds, and if hybridization takes hold on those islands, the species could become genetically extinct. Due to all of these pressures, the Koloa was listed as Federally endangered in 1967 and currently has the highest recovery priority among the four endangered waterbirds that occur on the main Hawaiian Islands.
A critical obstacle in developing effective recovery plans for Koloa involves the lack of data on many basic aspects of species ecology, such as movement patterns, habitat use, and demographic parameters (e.g., adult survival, nest success). Through our research, we hope to fill in these gaps in knowledge, identify the factors most limiting the recovery of Hawaii's native duck, and inform conservation and management actions.
Since 1962, Koloa have been re-introduced to the Big Island. They have also been reintroduced to O’ahu and Maui; however, failure to remove feral Mallards prior to re-introduction has resulted in hybridization between these two species on those islands. Thus, Kaua’i and Ni’ihau are the last true strongholds, and if hybridization takes hold on those islands, the species could become genetically extinct. Due to all of these pressures, the Koloa was listed as Federally endangered in 1967 and currently has the highest recovery priority among the four endangered waterbirds that occur on the main Hawaiian Islands.
A critical obstacle in developing effective recovery plans for Koloa involves the lack of data on many basic aspects of species ecology, such as movement patterns, habitat use, and demographic parameters (e.g., adult survival, nest success). Through our research, we hope to fill in these gaps in knowledge, identify the factors most limiting the recovery of Hawaii's native duck, and inform conservation and management actions.
Koloa pair
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Laysan Duck pair
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Mallard pair
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Where do we conduct our research?
Over 90% of the remaining Koloa population is believed to occur on the islands of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, the most northwestern of the Main Hawaiian Islands. While our research occurs throughout Kaua'i, the majority of our work is centered on and around Hanalei NWR on the north shore (indicated by the red marker on the map). Hanalei
NWR was established in 1972 under the Endangered Species Act to aid in the
recovery of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds through the preservation and
management of critical habitat. The refuge supports five endangered
birds including the Koloa, Hawaiian Coot (‘Alae ke‘oke‘o), Hawaiian Moorhen (‘Alae ‘ula), Hawaiian Black-necked Stilt (A‘eo), and the Nēnē (Hawaiian goose). Situated in the lower Hanalei River Valley, this 371 ha refuge is currently the single most important site for Koloa in the world.
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Copyright 2013-2022 Christopher Malachowski