Lesser Nighthawk

Lesser Nighthawk

On warm summer evenings in the southwestern deserts, Lesser Nighthawks (Chordeiles acutipennis) can be seen just after sunset darting about hunting for nocturnal insects and gracefully skimming over swimming pools and other large water sources to scoop up mouthfuls of water and snap up any drowning insects. Lesser Nighthawks excel at capturing insects in flight… Read More →

Polynesian Rat

Polynesian Rat

Polynesian Rats (Rattus exulans) are common in a variety of habitats at lower elevations here in Hawaii. These rats are native to Southeast Asia, but they have now spread to the islands of the tropical and subtropical Pacific thanks to humans. Polynesian Rats were originally brought here to Hawaii by the early Polynesians, and these… Read More →

Common Myna

Common Myna

One of the most ubiquitous Hawaiian birds is the Common Myna or Indian Myna (Acridotheres tristis). Common Mynas are native to south Asia, and they were brought here to Hawaii in 1865 to control a large infestation of army worms (plant-damaging moth caterpillars). The clever and adaptable Common Mynas now thrive here in Hawaii and… Read More →