Hawaii’s isolation in the Pacific created unique native birds found nowhere else on Earth. The native honeycreepers - Apapane and Iiwi - are brilliant red forest birds now restricted to higher elevations. Introduced species like the Red-crested Cardinal and Red Avadavat are common at lower elevations.
Red Birds Found in Hawaii
| Species | Red feature | When to see | Habitat |
|---|
| Apapane | Bright crimson all over | Year-round | Native ohia forest above 4,000 ft |
| Iiwi | Scarlet-red with curved bill | Year-round | Native forest above 4,500 ft |
| Red-crested Cardinal | Red head and crest | Year-round | Lowland parks, gardens |
| Yellow-billed Cardinal | Red head, black and white body | Year-round | Wetland edges, parks |
| Red Avadavat | Males red with white spots | Year-round | Grasslands, wet areas |
| Red Junglefowl | Red comb and body plumage | Year-round | Forest edges, rural areas |
| Red-masked Parakeet | Red face and head | Year-round (Oahu) | Urban parks, forest edges |
| Northern Cardinal | Males bright red all over | Year-round | Gardens, parks (introduced) |
| House Finch | Red head, breast, rump (male) | Year-round | Suburbs, urban areas |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Hakalau Forest NWR (Big Island) | Iiwi, Apapane, native honeycreepers |
| Hosmer Grove, Haleakala (Maui) | Apapane, native forest birds |
| Waimea Valley (Oahu) | Introduced species, botanical garden setting |
| Kilauea Point NWR (Kauai) | Seabirds, Red-tailed Tropicbird |
| Kealia Pond NWR (Maui) | Wetland birds, waterfowl |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Honeycreeper breeding activity in native forest |
| Summer | Peak nesting, ohia lehua blooming |
| Autumn | Migratory shorebirds arrive |
| Winter | Year-round species still active, whale season draws visitors |
Hawaii’s native red birds - the Apapane and Iiwi - are restricted to high-elevation native forests where mosquito-borne avian malaria is less prevalent. To see them, head above 4,000 feet on the Big Island or Maui. At lower elevations, introduced Red-crested Cardinals are the most visible red birds.
