ʻĀhuimanu's goal is to keep the spirit of the manu at the forefront and restore a deep cultural connection to birds, even as many are threatened or endangered. We talked to the voice of HPR's Manu Minute, UH Hilo professor Patrick Hart to learn more.
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Manu Minute with Patrick Hart, December 30th, 2020. Field recordings from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML289741). To learn more about Dr. Hart s work with the birds of Hawai i, visit lohelab.org. You ve likely seen a Cattle egret (or a whole flock of them) perched atop the backs of cows or other livestock. From this vantage point, these egrets can forage for flies or other insects that live in the tall grasses of pastureland.
It s a bucolic picture, but it s not the whole story. In reality, these graceful birds have a rather indelicate palate; Cattle egrets eat just about anything they can fit in their mouths, including frogs, mice, and fish.
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Manu Minute with Patrick Hart, December 23th, 2020. Archival recordings from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML218186). To learn more about Dr. Hart s work with the birds of Hawai i, go to lohelab.org.
Credit Ann Tanimoto-Johnson
Like other short-eared owls, our Pueo may move across the landscape following rodent outbreaks. However, the Pueo will also prey upon birds, including native species.
The Pueo is diurnal, so the best time to spot one is during daylight hours. If you see an owl hunting at night, it is likely an introduced Barn owl.
Since their arrival, Pueo have been an important element in the native culture of Hawai i. They are sacred as ˊaumākua and play vital roles in many moˊolelo.