Predation of the endangered Ae'o (Hawaiian Stilt) by a native raptor, the Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owl) on the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i, USA.

Abstract

While the impact of introduced predators is a widely acknowledged issue and key component of conservation considerations for endemic waterbird populations in the Hawaiian Islands, the impact of native predators on endemic, endangered waterbirds is not as frequently discussed or factored into recovery models. The Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owl; Asio flammeus sandwichensis) is a subspecies of Short-eared Owl endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is State-listed as Endangered on the island of O'ahu. The Ae'o (Hawaiian Stilt; Himantopus mexicanus knudensi) is a subspecies of the Black-necked Stilt endemic to Hawai'i and is federally listed as Endangered throughout its range. A variety of non-native predators are confirmed to consume Ae'o eggs, chicks, and adults, including invasive mammals (e.g., feral cats), birds (e.g., Barn Owls), and amphibians (e.g., bullfrogs). While predation by native predators was suspected, there are no cases documented in the literature to date describing Pueo preying upon Ae'o. Here, we describe four events that provide evidence of Pueo predating Ae'o during the 2019-2021 breeding seasons in a wetland area on the island of O'ahu: (1) confirmed Pueo predating an Ae'o chick, (2) a suspected predation attempt of a Pueo chasing adult Ae'o, and (3) two suspected predation events based on (a) 10 adult-sized Ae'o carcasses and remains found near an active Pueo nest and (b) game camera photos of Pueo visiting two Ae'o nests. To our knowledge, these novel observations are the first published accounts of predator-prey interactions between these two subspecies.