#ae'o

Day 24 of Avian August 2025, Birds of Hawaii, hosted by @cookiedoves: Kukuluaeʻo, Aeʻo, or Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni)

The Hawaiian Stilt is an endangered subspecies of the black-necked stilt found only in the Hawaiian Islands. It is one of the longest-legged birds relative to its body size, with legs making up about 60% of its height. Its Hawaiian name, Kukuluaeʻo, means “one who stands tall.”

“If you are on Maui, you might see this endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is a safe home for endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilts) and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coots). It is one of the few natural wetlands remaining in the Hawaiian Islands.”