Sea Life Park, in cooperation with State and Federal agencies, participates in a recovery and release program for these seabirds each year when they begin showing up along the sides of Kalanianaole Highway between Kailua and Waimanalo. The Park rehabilitated and released over 1,000 shearwaters last year during the fledging season from late October to mid-December. The park has been taking part in this program for many years.
In the Waimanalo area, shearwaters nest on the offshore islets, particularly Manana or Rabbit Island. Wedgetail shearwaters are a common species of seabirds found throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In Hawaii, they are abundant in the Northwest Hawaiian Island chain and nest at Laysan and Nihoa. The adults are usually dark brown on top and whitish on the bottom with a distinctly wedge-shaped tail. Chicks are covered with a fuzzy down that is usually gray to brown in color.
These migratory seabirds arrive at their nesting sites each year in March and April to mate and prepare their burrows. The same shearwater mating pairs stay together for several years and return to the breeding site in the middle of June to lay their one egg. These birds nest in burrows and crevices which provide a stable climate for the chick and also reduce predation and add extra space to the crowded colonies. These birds are often called the "moaning birds" for the weird groans, moans, and wails that the adults make at their nesting grounds. The majority of the eggs hatch in August which makes them ready to fly in November.
Some scientists believe that at fledging time the adults simply abandon their young causing them to become hungry. This causes the chicks to leave the nest to search of food and they must learn to feed and fly on their own. Shearwaters are nocturnal, flying from dusk to sunrise from their nesting grounds, and this is where the problems arise. The young birds are attracted to the artificial light of streetlamps and become temporarily blinded and confused often injuring themselves. Many fall onto the highways and are hit by cars. Others land by the roadside and have problems taking off again making them easy prey for dogs and cats. "Wedge-tailed shearwaters belong to the group of birds most negatively affected by man's colonization of the Pacific," said Beth Flint, a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The petrels, shearwaters, and storm-petrels: anything we can do to conserve birds in this group is very important for maintaining biodiversity in the Pacific Islands."
What to do
If you find an injured or fallen shearwater, you should follow these procedures. The best way to catch the chicks is to put a towel over them to calm them down. They can then be placed in cardboard boxes with holes poked in them or pet carriers lined with absorbent material such as paper towels or old sheets. These help to keep their feathers in good shape. Make sure that the birds have enough ventilation and that they are kept out of the sun and extreme heat. Record the date and place where the bird was found and bring the birds to Sea Life Park. Do not attempt to feed or water them and don't try to release them on your own because they may have injuries that you can't see.
When the shearwaters are brought to Sea Life Park, animal care staff record where the chick was found, weigh them, assess any injuries the bird may have, and give them water because they are often dehydrated from not eating. The birds are then banded with plastic bands and put into holding areas according to their size and development until they are ready to be released. Most of the chicks that arrive are overweight (over 400 grams) or underweight (less than 275 grams), with the ideal weight for release being 300 to 350 grams. The birds are fed 1or 2 times per day until they reach this ideal weight range and then they are prepared for release. During shearwater fledging season, the rehabilitated birds are released from the Park's Makapu'u Meadows almost daily. All that these birds usually need are a few days of rest and some food.
Throughout the year you can help other seabirds and marine animals by properly disposing of any garbage that you find on the beach or in the ocean. What may seem to be harmless looking litter can be deadly for seabirds. Plastic bags, six-pack rings, and small pieces of plastic are especially harmful. Hopefully this year will be another successful year for the shearwaters at Manana Island with a little help from the Waimanalo community and the animal care staff of Sea Life Park.
by Jen Miller