This bird's platform-style nest is built from twigs, stems, and leaves, with the male collecting materials and the female arranging them at the nest site. According to Hawaiian legend ‘alae’ula brought fire to humans and its face and bill were scorched bright red in the process. In fact, its Hawaiian name, ‘Alae ‘Ula, means “burnt He burns the crest on the top of the birds head and this is why the adult ‘alae ‘ula has a red crest. Destroying Kuna Loa. The bird that carries fire Discovery: EXP Adventure 234 Card: EXP Adventure 117 'Alae 'Ula With only aprox. The `alae `ula (also known as the Hawaiian Moorhen or Hawaiian Gallinule, Gallinula galeata sandvicensis) is an endangered native waterbird endemic to the Hawaiian islands. This is the reason why all children of the alae birds are baldheaded to this day. Like the ‘Io (Hawaiian Hawk) and ‘Ua‘u (Hawaiian Petrel), the ‘ Alae ‘Ula, or Hawaiian Common Gallinule, is revered in folklore. In fact, its Hawaiian name, ‘Alae ‘Ula, means “burnt forehead!”, The ‘Alae ‘Ula is one of 12 subspecies of Common Gallinule, which is found worldwide. It is also variously known as the Hawaiian common gallinule, Hawaiian moorhen, Hawaiian common moorhen, mudhen, or `alae `ula (“burnt forehead” - for its prominent red frontal shield) in Hawaiian, and sometimes misleadingly as the Hawaiian red coot. As he did, his formerly white brow was burned by the volcano's fire, giving this wary native Hawaiian bird its distinctive red forehead, ʻAlae ʻula are quite secretive, staying close to … Legend says the Alae Ula held the secret of fire and would not reveal it to the demi god Maui. According to legend, this bird brought fire from the gods to the people, burning its white forehead red in the process. According to legend, this bird brought fire from the gods to the people, burning its white forehead red in the process. Facts About Hawaiian moorhen These charismatic birds were once found on all of the main … Like Wilson's Plover and Piping Plover chicks, ‘Alae ‘Ula hatchlings are precocial: They can walk and swim within a few hours of hatching. The ‘alae ‘ula is known as the most secretive native waterbird. They consented and pushed out into the sea. Introduced predators such as cats, mongooses, bullfrogs, and turtles are another problem for the ground-feeding birds. Our site uses cookies to collect anonymous information about your use of our website. The ‘Alae ‘Ula's striking red frontal shield is thought to protect its face as the bird forages through dense vegetation for grasses, seeds, mollusks, and aquatic insects and their larvae. ‘Alae ‘Ula are territorial and defend an area of wetland ranging from a quarter-acre to a half-acre. 300 in existence, the gallinula galeata sandvicensis was once found throughout the Hawaiian archipelago, but can only now be found on the islands of O'ahu and Kaua'i. In Hawaiian legend, these birds were thought to have brought fire from the gods to the Hawaiian people. The ‘Alae ‘Ula is an endemic water bird (found naturally only in Hawaii) that is an endangered species with a total population perhaps in the hundreds. Donate to support ABC's conservation mission! The waterbird ʻAlae ʻUla brought fire to the Hawaiian people from the volcano home of the gods, according to legend. Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1967; it's also listed as endangered at the state level. The ‘alae ‘ula is known as the most secretive native waterbird. The parents frequently incorporate a ramp on one side to allow chicks to easily clamber in and out. The Hawaiian Common Gallinule was listed as Endangered under the U.S. The filling, dredging, and draining of wetlands in Hawai'i has greatly reduced the amount of habitat available for the gallinule, limiting their distribution and abundance. Because they are such secretive birds, it is difficult to conduct surveys of this species. In Hawaiian legend, these birds were thought to have brought fire from the gods to the Hawaiian people. The ‘alae ‘ula is known as the most secretive native waterbird. Both sexes appear similar, although males are larger, and both give voice to chicken-like cackles and croaks. Together with our partners, we're undertaking many other conservation efforts to help prevent extinction of Hawaiian birds. ABC recently joined with several partner groups to ask Congress to support a new conservation effort in Hawai‘i that would provide increased funding for endangered endemic birds. Maui discovered the secret of fire, but punished the old hen by branding the top of her head until all her feathers were burned away. Legend says that the 'alae 'ula brought fire from the gods to the people. ‘Alae ‘Ula can nest year-round, but the majority of nesting occurs from March to August and may depend on suitable water levels. According to Hawaiian legend, the gallinule brought fire from the volcano home of the gods to the Hawaiian people. The moral of the story is because she held the secret she was punished. In fact, its Hawaiian name, ‘ Alae ‘Ula, means “burnt forehead!” This information is used to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. However, they depend on their parents for protection and food for several more weeks. ‘Alae ‘Ula are opportunistic feeders. Having made fire, Maui decides to punish the hen for her trickery. The Alae told him they must go to Ponaha-ke-one (a fishing place outside of Pearl Harbor) and find Ka-uniho-kahi, "the one toothed," who held the land under the sea. The ‘alae ‘ula (meaning “burnt forehead”) finally concedes and instructs him to rub a dry stick into a piece of sandalwood bark and hau tree fibers until a flame appears. Hawaiian legend says the moorhen knew the secret of fire and was scorched by flames, giving the bird its red frontal shield. The demigod Maui went on a journey to catch and force the ‘alae ‘ula to yield the secret of making fire. On our recent trip to Oahu, we saw our first ‘alae ‘ula at Waimea Valley (the waterfall place.). Photos Copyright © 2020 Hugo de Vries and Cindy Turner, ‘Alae ‘Ula ~ Hawaiian Gallinule (Moorhen). Female gallinules lay a clutch of around five eggs, which hatch after two to three weeks of incubation by both sexes. Although not as secretive as other members of the rail family, such as the elusive Black Rail, this gallinule's preferred habitat—dense aquatic vegetation—can complicate efforts to accurately estimate its population size.