Kauai has so much beautiful Kauai wildlife! Find out all the best spots to watch birds of Kauai; keep scrolling down for all the info!!
This birding on Kauai post was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Kauai is notorious for being a beautiful place. From the mountains to lush waterfalls to amazing beaches, there is so much to do and see.
However, when you have a gorgeous island like this, you will also have some Kauai wildlife worth checking out.
Kauai bird watching is real, and many people enjoy it. Here is your ultimate guide to birding in Kauai.
Bird enthusiasts often visit the island to spot rare and colorful bird species, including several endemic species and native birds found only in Hawaii. Kauai is also home to the Hawaiian goose, also known as the Nēnē, which is hawaii’s state bird and one of the most iconic endangered species in the islands.
You will find that the birds on Kauai are endemic. This simply means these birds are natural to a specific place.
Everyone from experts to casual bird watchers enjoys seeing the variety of birds in Kauai.
You’ll enjoy watching the Hawaiian birds Kauai offers and listening to them, too!
Keep scrolling to see our birds of Kauai list and learn how you can have as many Kauai bird sightings as possible.
Birding on Kauai: Types of Kauai Birds and Where to See Them
The interesting part of birding on Kauai is that there is not only one type of bird to see, but there are many common birds of Kauai.
Here is a list of the types of birds of Hawaii and where you may be able to see them as you explore Kauai.
Birders can expect to see both introduced species and native forest birds, with some areas offering better chances for spotting rare bird species that thrive in specific ecosystems.
You can use this as your Hawaii birds guide!
Open Country Birds
- Waimea Canyon Road
- Hanapepe
- Lihu`e Airport
- Princeville
Marine Birds
- Na Pali Coast
- Waimea Canyon
- Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Forest Birds
- Koke`e State Park/Pihea Trail
- Hule`ia National Wildlife Refuge
- Pu`u o Kila Overlook
- Kalalau Lookout
Urban Birds
- Lihu`e
- Koloa
- Princeville
- Kukiolono Park
Wetland Birds
- Koloa Reservoirs
- Hanapepe Salt Ponds
- Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands
- Mana Wetlands
- Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
- Waita Reservoir
- Opaeka`a Valley/Wailua River
- Menehune Fishponds (Alakoko)
Best Spots for Birding on Kauai
Now that you know where you can see some of the different varieties of birds on Kauai, it’s essential to know some of the top bird-watching spots.
Kōkeʻe State Park
Many amateurs and rookie bird watchers will tell you that Kōkeʻe State Park is a top bird-watching spot.
The thing that makes this spot unique is the trails. Because of its high elevation, bird-watching is really easy in this park.
At 4,000 feet of elevation, you can see birds such as…
- ‘Apapane
- Kauaʻi akepa
- ʻAnianiau, pueo (Hawaiian owl)
- ʻElepaio
- ‘Amakihi
- ʻiʻiwi and the Kauaʻi Creeper
These are all birds of Kauai that you have a good chance of seeing while at this state park.
It is one of the best places for bird watching that Kauai offers. The park also provides critical habitat for remaining species of native forest birds, many of which face threats from invasive predators and habitat destruction.
Some visitors even report hearing the soft cooing call of doves and pigeons as they move through the dense forest, adding to the immersive birding experience.
Kīlauea National Wildlife Refuge
When it comes to Hawaii birding, sometimes the best place to head is a wildlife refuge. The Kīlauea National Wildlife Refuge is one of those places where you can easily view seabirds on the Island.
Not only are there regular species of birds here, but you will also find migratory seabirds.
Here are some of the birds that you may be able to see at this Kauai bird sanctuary…
- Kōloa
- Nēnē
- Newell’s shearwaters
- Wandering tattlers
- Ruddy turnstones
- Red-footed boobies
- Laysan
- Black-footed albatross
- Brown boobies
- Red-tailed and white-tailed tropicbirds
- Great frigatebirds
- Wedge-tailed shearwaters
Shew, there are a lot of amazing birds in Hawaii Kauai that you could possibly see. This wildlife refuge center is open from Tuesday through Saturday.
Birders also frequently spot the black crowned night heron, especially around dusk. This unique wading bird is known for its striking appearance and calm demeanor.
Additionally, cattle egret can often be seen foraging near the refuge, particularly in nearby golf courses and grassy fields.
It is another place to find the best birding in Hawaii.
Wailua River Valley
Another top birding spot in Kauai is the Wailua River Valley.
If you love to be outdoors and want to see those birds up close, this may be the place for you.
Known as the only navigable river on the island, the Kauai River offers ample opportunity to see birds native to Kauai, such as…
- Kōloa
- ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot)
- Japanese bush-warblers
- Meadowlarks
- Two thrush species
In this lush valley, birders often hear the soft cooing of doves, particularly the zebra dove, whose scientific name is Geopelia striata. This bird, with its gentle demeanor and white belly, is a common sight along riverbanks and nearby trails.
The area also provides vital nesting areas for native and migratory birds alike, helping to support vulnerable bird populations that rely on this ecosystem for survival.
Top Birding Tours on Kauai
Not everyone knows about birding in Kauai. A lot goes into birding, from where to go to what to look for.
Sometimes, it’s nice just to go on a birding Hawaii tour. There is no shortage of birding tours in Kauai.
Check out some of the top Kauai birding tours.
Birdingpal
This is an interesting concept that not every island has. However, Kauai is unique.
This island has something called Birdingpal.
Some of these Hawaii birding tours are already set up, but professional bird guides will take you on a birding outing.
You should expect to pay a fee for the professional Hawaii bird guide.
Hire a Bird Guide
Because there are so many birds in Kauai, hiring someone who knows what they are doing is smart.
If you’d like to hire a guide, you can look through this list of guides for birding on Kauai.
Hawaii Bird Tours
If you want to see some stunning seabirds, go on this Kauai Endemic Birding Adventure.
It takes you on a boat to see some of the best bird-watching Hawaii has to offer. The trip lasts about 6 to 7 hours and can even pick you up from your hotel!
Here are a few birds you might see:
- Red-footed Booby
- Brown Booby
- Masked Booby
- Brown Noddy
- B lack Noddy
- Laysan Albatross
- Sooty tern
- Gray-backed Tern
- Bulwer Petrel
- Wedge-tailed Shearwater
- Arctic Tern
- Black-winged Petrel
- Mottled Petrel
- Cook Petrel
- Stejneger Petrel
- Murphy Petrel
- Kermadec Petrel
- Hawaiian Petrel
- Juan Fernandez Petrel
- Sooty Shearwater
- Short-tailed Shearwater
- Buller Shearwater
Kauai North Shore Customized Birding Tours
Hawaii Bird Tours offers the option to customize your birding experience and is one of the best birding tours on Kauai!
You will head into the rainforest to see some of these beautiful birds.
It is a full day’s worth of birding and is perfect for bird lovers!
Why Would Someone Want to Go Birding on Kauai?
If you’re heading to Kauai, you probably are going because it’s one of the best places to experience nature in Hawaii. Kauai is commonly named the most beautiful Hawaiian Island.
Part of its natural beauty is the wildlife that calls Kauai home. There are birds that you can’t see anywhere else in the world.
They are full of color, make unique sounds, and will leave you in awe when you get closer.
Many families are especially fascinated by species like the short eared owl and the elusive Hawaiian gallinule, which can be spotted near wetland habitats. The island’s mix of introduced species and endemic species means birders have a unique chance to see both native and non-native birds in a single day.
The medium sized goose known as the Hawaiian goose or Nēnē is one of the most iconic birds to see—and it’s the state bird of Hawaii! Spotting one in the wild is a bucket list experience for many visitors.
Bird watching also a great budget-friendly Hawaii activity!
Do you need to have any experience going birding?
Keep in mind that you can go birding on your own, but you may not know what you are looking at. Even with pictures of birds of Kauai or a birds of Hawaii field guide, you just might not be able to identify the birds you see or hear.
If you want to learn as much as you can about the birds on the island, going on a bird tour is a good idea. That way, you can ask questions, get a local’s perspective, and hear about their own birdwatching adventures.
It’s recommended that you go birding with a birding specialist the first time; otherwise, take a bird tour.
Tips for Bird Watching in Hawaii for the First Time
- Think of it like golf. It’s an activity that requires a lot of patience. Some days you’ll find a lot of birds and other times you might just see a Kauai bird and that’s it.
- Be prepared. Find out what birds are in Kauai and where they can be found. And look at photos of them or get a birds of Kauai chart so you know you’ve identified them correctly. This book about Kauai birds is a great resource for Hawaii bird identification. Find the best prices here.
- Start small. You probably aren’t going to see every bird in Kauai in one afternoon. So, when you start, pick one bird of Kauai you’d like to spot. Once you’ve spied the Kauai bird, you can call your first Kauai birdwatching adventure a success!
Bird Watching in Kauai with Kids
Wondering whether or not to bring your kids birding? It depends on your kids. Birding is a pretty quiet activity for the most part.
If you’ve taken them fishing successfully or know they can be semi-quiet for long periods, this is a fun (and free) thing to do with kids on Kauai.
There are many ways to add extra fun when taking kids bird watching. You can turn it into a game. Make a list of Kauai birds and check off each one you see. Or create a Bingo board and see who can get 5 in a row.
Another idea is to have them listen to the birds’ sounds and try to mimic them. Then, have them imagine themselves as birds and make their own bird sounds.
Plus, you can read a few books about Hawaiian birds, like this one about rare birds on Kauai. Find the best prices here.
For more tips, check out this great article from the Audobon Society about birding with kids.
What Should I Take With Me When Birding in Kauai?
When it comes to birding in Kauai, you may wonder what to take.
You will need a nice pair of binoculars to help you see. Find the best prices here.
Also a field guide, if you can get your hands on it. A field guide will help you know what kinds of birds you are looking at. Check out the latest prices and more details.
A birding vest is also a good investment, so you have something to hold all of your items. Find the best prices here.
And be sure to pack:
- Comfortable shoes
- Good brimmed hat
- Water
- Snack
Remember that when birding, you don’t want to make too much noise, so you do need to limit what you bring in a sense. Avoid bags with Velcro closures or noisy material.
Birding on Kauai FAQs
Kauai is definitely the best Hawaiian island for birding. The best area is Kokee State Park, which is absolutely stunning.
No. Actually, you won’t find hummingbirds anywhere in Hawaii. They are banned from the islands.
One reason why hummingbirds are not in Hawaii is because they are pineapple pollinators. If they are around pineapple plants, they will go to seed, which makes it more difficult to eat pineapples.
The earlier, the better. If you want the best chance of seeing Hawaii birds, try to get out right after sunrise.
The winter months are often better for bird watching in Hawaii because many birds migrate during this time. However, you can enjoy the wildlife on Kauai anytime of the year!
Birds of Kauai Hawaii Wrap-Up
Hopefully, now that you know a bit more about all the types of birds in Kauai, you can enjoy Hawaii bird watching!
Whether you go on one of the Kauai bird-watching tours or see the beautiful wildlife in Kauai all by yourself, you will love seeing all the native Hawaiian birds this island offers.
Have you been birding on Kauai? I’d love to hear all about your experience.
Looking for other Kauai activities? Visit Limahuli Garden on Kauai with Kids!