The Hawai‘i Wildlife Center on Friday said it has treated more than 1,000 native seabirds during the ongoing, and record, seabird fallout season.
Seabird fallout season typically spans roughly Sept. 15 to Dec. 15 each year. It’s the time of year when young seabirds — like fledging ‘ua‘u, or Hawaiian petrels, and ‘ua‘u kani, or wedge-tailed shearwaters — taking their first flights from their burrows to the ocean can become disoriented by artificial lights and fall to the ground, making them vulnerable to predators and cars.
HWC — one of two organizations permitted by state and federal wildlife agencies to provide medical treatment and rehabilitation care to native winged wildlife, including native bird species and the Hawaiian hoary bat — often cares for these downed birds.
In an announcement Friday, the Hawai‘i Island-based nonprofit says more than 1,000 native seabirds were rescued between September and December and that the 1,441 patients so far this year have surpassed last year’s patient count of 1,028.
HWC Development Director Rae Okawa told Aloha State Daily in an email that the numbers fluctuate somewhat year-to-year.
“Even though we handle hundreds of birds each year, we were still surprised [by the uptick in patients this year],” she says, noting that the previous fallout season record was 712 birds in 2023.
Among the factors Okawa says could be contributing to that increase is a greater public awareness.
"We had a lot of people come to the drop-off tent or call our office expressing that they would see these downed seabirds every year, but didn't know what they were or that they needed help," she said. "The public played a huge role in the success of this year's response and we want to send our kudos and gratitude to everyone!"
Other factors that could contribute to the increase also include that ‘ua‘u kani populations are doing better because conservation efforts; and that the peak of fallout season aligned with the new moon, which is when the sky is at its darkest and there’s no moonlight to compete with urban lights, Okawa noted.
HWC says the surge this year was supported by a longstanding partnership with the Kailua-based Feather & Fur Animal Hospital, an intake location that receives downed seabirds around-the-clock. The organization's O‘ahu-based staff are set up there to assess incoming birds and administer care, the announcement noted.
“In November alone, during the height of fallout season, 983 ‘ua‘u kani (wedge-tailed shearwaters) were admitted, including 102 in a single day,” the announcement noted. “Quick action by the public, dedicated volunteers and close collaboration with Feather & Fur contributed to the successful release of nearly 800 seabirds to date, a number that is expected to grow as additional patients complete rehabilitation.”
Earlier in the season, HWC treated its 6,000th patient — an ‘ua‘u that was found on the water off Lāna‘i and ultimately released on Nov. 3, as ASD previously reported.
HWC said Friday that to recognize the milestone, Gov. Josh Green proclaimed Dec. 15 as “Bird and Bat Day in Hawai‘i.," and to mark the achievement, State Sen. Tim Richards and state Rep. David Tarnas both visited the center's Big Island headquarters.
“This year’s record numbers remind us how vulnerable our seabirds are and how powerful our community can be in helping to ensure they receive appropriate care and rehabilitation,” Linda Elliott, president and founder of the Hawai‘i Wildlife Center, said in the announcement. “2025 has been a pivotal year for HWC, and the recognition from Governor Green affirms how important this work is for Hawai‘i’s native wildlife. We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported us this season.”
HWC’s main facility is located in Kapa‘au on Hawai‘i Island but it has satellite operations on O‘ahu and Lāna‘i and partner projects throughout the state, its website notes. That includes a clinic at the Honolulu Zoo.
ASD previously spoke with Elliott about the HWC, its work and what you should do if you find a downed seabird. You can read that story here.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
