Native Species of the Week: Pueo

Pueo 

Hawaiian Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus sandwichensis

Pueo, Kanaha Beach, Maui. 

Photo by Forest & Kim Starr

SPECIES INFORMATION: 

The pueo, or Hawaiian short-eared owl, is an endemic subspecies of the nearly pandemic short-eared owl (Asio flammeus; Family: Strigidae). The species is thought to have colonized the Hawaiian Islands sometime after the arrival of Polynesians. The pueo is State listed as endangered on O‘ahu.

Unlike most owls, pueo are active during the day (i.e., diurnal), and are commonly seen hovering or soaring over open areas. Like short-eared owls in continental environments, those in Hawai‘i primarily consume small mammals. 

Pueo on fence, Waimea, Hawai'i.

Photo by Forest & Kim Starr

Little is known about the breeding biology of pueo, but nests have been found throughout the year. Males perform aerial displays known as a "sky dancing display" to prospective females. Nests are constructed by females and are comprised of simple scrapes in the ground lined with grasses and feather down. Females also perform all incubating and brooding. Males feed females and defend nests. Young may fledge from nest on foot before they are able to fly and depend on their parents for approximately two months.

DISTRIBUTION: 

Found on all the Main Hawaiian Islands from sea level to 2,450 meters (8,000 feet).

ABUNDANCE: 

Specifics unknown. See comment below for additional information provided by a DOFAW blog reader.

LOCATION AND CONDITION OF KEY HABITAT: 

Pueo occupy a variety of habitats, including wet and dry forests, but are most common in open habitats such as grasslands, shrublands, and montane parklands, including urban areas and those actively managed for conservation. Because of a lack of historical population data and the species’ current, broad habitat use, key habitat variables are difficult to determine. Pueo occur in many areas that are managed by the Sate of Hawai‘i or Federal agencies.

Pueo in flight.

Photo by Forest & Kim Starr

THREATS: 

Pueo are likely susceptible to the same factors that threaten other native Hawaiian birds, including: loss and degradation of habitat, predation by introduced mammals, and disease. However, their persistence in lowland, non-native and rangeland habitats suggests that they may be less vulnerable to extinction than other native birds, especially because they may be resistant to avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) and avian pox (Poxvirus avium).

Despite this, for pueo populations, the following are of particular concern:

• “Sick owl syndrome.” Mortality on Kaua‘i has been attributed to this syndrome, which may be related to pesticide poisoning or food shortages.
• Predation. Because pueo nest on the ground, their eggs and young are vulnerable to predation by rats (Rattus spp.), cats (Felis silvestris), and the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus).
• Habitat loss may be particularly important to O‘ahu pueo populations.
• Contaminants or toxins. Because pueo are top predators, fat-soluble contaminants may accumulate in prey species; may be related to “sick owl syndrome” (see above).
• Human interaction. Hunting behavior and habitat use predispose pueo to vehicular collisions, which have been documented on Lāna‘i and the island of Hawai‘i.

Pueo, Kahana Beach, Maui

Photo by Forest & Kim Starr

CONSERVATION ACTIONS: 

Pueo likely have benefited from management activities designed to conserve other endangered birds. They also may benefit from game bird management; high densities of pueo occur on lands where game birds also are common. In addition to these efforts, future management specific to the pueo may include the following:

• Determine population trends, especially on islands where “sick owl syndrome” has been documented.
• Public outreach and education.
• Continued protection and management of wildlife sanctuaries and refuges.
  

For more info about the Hawaiian short-eared owl and other native species, visit the Hawaii Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy pueo fact sheet.

Also visit the Hawaii Ecosystems At Risk (HEAR) webpage for more info and photos.

For information about the role of pueo in Hawaiian culture, visit the Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning pueo info page. While you're there, check out the informative Hawaiian Culture Audio PowerPoint Presentations.

Public Lands Program Capacity Building Grant - Due December 1st 2009

Another great grant opportunity! Who knew there were so many conservation-focused grants out there!?

These grants are designed to provide funding to strengthen the organizational effectiveness of community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose mission is focused on serving a public lands site in the United States. Capacity-building can take many forms, including, but not limited to, strategic planning, marketing, volunteer development, leadership capacity (board or executive), improved fund-raising, assessments or staff training.

Ten small grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to community-based "Friends of Groups" who meet the grant eligibility requirements and make the best case for how the funds will build their capacity to better serve their local public lands. 

Deadline for the groups to submit their grant application is Dec. 1, 2009.

More information and application at: www.publiclandsday.org/grants/index

A young conservationist.

Photo credit: National Environmental Education Foundation.

This Week in Nature:The 5th week in October - he'e

What's Happening in Hawaii 

during the 5th week in October:

Pua ke kō, ku ka he'e.

When the sugar cane tassels, 

the octopus season is here.

Like the proverb about breadfruit, this one gives a botanical cue for food-gathering at sea. Again, the word he'e is used, but in this case, all clues point to an octopus. Sugar cane begins to form plumes in late October or early November, a time of year when large specimens of he'e mauli, the daytime octopus (Octopus cyani), are unusually abundant. He'e mauli frequent shallow water, living in holes on rocks and reef flats and feeding on crabs and shrimp. It is one of two octopuses common in Hawai'i, the other being a nocturnal feeder.

Sugar cane, kō, with tassels.

Photo by Forest & Kim Starr

Hawaiians were first to cultivate kō in the islands, using it as a sweet, a quick energy source, and a medicine. Its blossoming was a signal not only to hunt octopus but also to enjoy a seasonal form of recreation: "When the sugar cane tassels, move to the sledding course," says another proverb. But don't look for snow. Hawaiian sledding was done on hills strewn with silky kō flowers and pili grass. 

  Pili grass.
Photo by Forest & Kim Starr

For photos of  he'e mauli and more information, visit the Hanauma Bay Creature Feature page.

Text and  he'e image taken from "Hawaii: A Calendar of Natural Events"

published by the Bishop Museum and Kamehameha Schools in 1989

Scholarship and Educational Grants for students AND The Pikake Fund

Some of the opportunities listed below are open to students only, but be sure to check out the websites for details. Please feel free to pass this information along to anyone that may be interested.

Do Something Grants: Did you recently create a sustainable community action project, program or organization? Would $500 help further the growth and success of your program? If you answered, "YES!" you are eligible to apply for a Plum Youth Grant. Plum grants are awarded weekly on a rolling basis. Applications can be submitted every two months. www.dosomething.org/grants

Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Grant: The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative has engaged many young people to participate in environmental conservation and cleanup projects over the past decade. It is a two-part award.  First, teens lead a project, such as a clean-up of a natural area or a tree-planting project.  Then photos of the experience are uploaded to the Nicodemus Wilderness Project Web site.  The final component of the competition is to submit an essay about the project experience. A $500 educational scholarship, as well as several runner-up prizes, are awarded annually to the author of the top Apprentice Ecologist essay. www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_apprentice_ecologist.php

President’s Environmental Youth Awards: Since 1971, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has annually sponsored the President’s Environmental Youth Awards. The awards program recognizes forward-thinking youth with outstanding ideas about the environment and how to sustain it. All applicants receive a signed certificate by the President honoring them for their efforts. Regional winners receive a presidential plaque as well as an invitation to an EPA-sponsored ceremony in Washington, D.C. The competition is open to K-12 youth in all 50 states and the U.S. territories with an adult sponsor.  www.epa.gov/PEYA/

Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Awards: Do you think you have an idea that could impact the field of renewable energy? The Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Awards challenges teams of high school students to create innovative products for use in various fields of science and technology, including lunar exploration, personal spaceflight and renewable energy. Teams vie for more than $100,000 in cash prizes and the opportunity to commercialize their products for general market use. www.conradawards.org/rules.htm

Action for Nature Eco-Hero awards: To recognize the outstanding accomplishments of environmentally minded young people, Action for Nature will present cash prizes of up to $500 to young Eco-Heroes for their environmental successes. Applicants ages 16 or under are eligible to apply. Winners will receive both a cash prize up to $500, and public recognition through Action for Nature’s public relations department. Application deadline is February 28, 2010. www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero/ecoheroawards.html

Canon Envirothon Competition: The Canon Envirothon – North America’s largest high school environmental competition – is an annual youth environmental competition taking place over five days during the summer (August 1-7, 2010). Teams must demonstrate their knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management at five training/testing stations. www.envirothon.org

Volvo Adventure and United Nations Environment Program Competition: Volvo Adventure, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program, recognizes and rewards students’ environmental activities. Finalists receive a trip to Sweden for the final judging and awards ceremony. Three prizes are awarded, including a grand prize of $10,000. To enter the competition students, must form a team of two to five members between 13 and 16 years of age plus one adult team leader. Teams plan and perform an environmental project and submit the finished project for judging. Submission deadline is January 31, 2011. www.volvoadventure.org/home.aspx

The above competition information comes from Planet-Connect.org. High School students interested in keeping up with conservation news, including contests, awards, and scholarship info can check it out here. 

Are you a film maker interested in conservation issues? This next grant may be just the thing you've been looking for: The Hawaii Community Foundation presents: The Pikake Fund; a grant given for film and video projects about environmental protection.

Background: 

The Pikake Fund provides support for film or video projects about environmental protection efforts. It is a small fund that only makes grants in even years, (i.e., 2008, 2010 etc.) Usually, no more than $18,000 is available for grant-making in any of these years. There are no set deadlines, and inquiries may be made or proposals submitted after January 31st of any grant-making year (i.e., 2006, 2008, 2010). This year's grant cycle begins January 31, 2010.

Guidelines: 

 The Fund is interested in supporting film or video projects that describe:

•  conservation work that positively impacts the health of terrestrial or nearshore marine ecosystems,

•  community-led projects or programs that demonstrate broad community involvement in the stewardship of natural resources, AND

•  projects that integrate natural resource protection with Hawaiian cultural practices and traditions.

Preference will be given to projects that:

1.  Can demonstrate that the proposed film/video will be of high quality, through either a rough cut, or sample of the videographer’s past work.

2.  Can demonstrate the need for this film/video, and how it will be used in the community.

3.  Have a clear distribution plan describing how the film/video will be accessed by its target

audience and/or the larger community.

4.  Include more than one funding source.

If you are interested in finding out more, or applying for this grant for the 2010 grant cycle, visit the Hawaii Community Foundation grant info page.

This Week in Nature:The 4th week in October - 'ama'ama

What's Happening in Hawaii 

during the 4th week in October:

'Ama'ama, a native mullet, makes a six-month migration each year, beginning about this time and ending in April. On O'ahu, legend has it that schools of 'ama'ama swim from the leeward side to the windward side through an underground channel. The actual route is by sea, from 'Ewa around Koko Head and as far up the coast as Lā'ie. Mature 'ama'ama are called 'anae, and the Hawaiians distinguish 'anae-holo, migrating mullet, from 'anae-pali, cliff mullet. 'Anae spawn at sea before returning to the inshore, brackish water they generally prefer.

One of the principal fish in the Hawaiian diet, 'ama'ama are algae-eaters and were raised for royalty in a sophisticated, early form of aquaculture. Trapping nutrient-rich water from the lo'i (taro paddies), fishponds bred algae profusely and thus were ideal places to fatten 'ama'ama. The mullet was known as pua'a kai, or "sea pig," which could be given in offerings in place of an ordinary pig. Around Ke'ehi 'ama'ama were referred to as the "loud-voiced fish of Ke'ehi," owing to the noise fishermen made while driving them into nets. They also gave Wai'anae its name - "mullet waters."

Taken from "Hawaii: A Calendar of Natural Events"

published by the Bishop Museum and Kamehameha Schools in 1989