Birds
and Plants of Kauai:
Pueo:
The Hawaiian Owl
The Pueo, or Hawaiian Owl, is a subspecies of the short-eared owl.
The scientific name is Asio flammeus sandwichensis. It is an endemic
species, which evolved in the Hawaiian islands and is not found
naturally elsewhere. There is no fossil record of the Pueo before
the Polynesians arrived here. That may be because the early Polynesians
created a habitat that was suited for colonization by the Pueo.
The Pueo was revered by the ancient Hawaiians. It is the aumakua,
or ancestral guardian, of many Hawaiian families, and was associated
with skill in battle. An encounter with the Pueo is considered to
be an omen.
The Pueo’s favorite habitat is open grasslands, fields and
pastures; although they are sometimes found in lowland forests.
They eat rodents and insects, and sometimes small birds. They are
often seen hunting at dawn and sunset, hovering over their prey
before diving down for the kill.
This owl nests right on the ground, in grassy areas. The Pueo lays
three to six eggs over a few months, and the eggs hatch at different
times. The young nestlings are vulnerable to feral cats.
The Pueo is a smaller owl, with yellow eyes and a round dark facial
disk, and is 13-17 inches long. The only other owl found on Kauai
is the Barn Owl, an introduced species, which has dark eyes and
a heart shaped lighter facial disk, is usually larger than the Pueo,
and hunts at night.
Look for the Pueo near Kilauea Point, from Kaumakani to Mana, and
along lower Kokee road. We have seen them at Puolo Point near Salt
Pond, and on the road to Poli Hale.
The glrassland of Puolo Point, near Salt Pond Beach
Park, is home to several pueo owls
First light
beside a tall palm
pueo hovers
schar 6/25/05
Source:
The
Birds of Kauai, by Jim Denny, University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu
|
