2024-12-10 PL-CRC-2024-000019 Testimony - C. Freitas

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months before the first egg is laid, and continuing into the nestling period. Egg-laying generally occurs from March to June, and fledging from July to September. Both sexes contribute to nest-building. Clutch size is nearly always one, although historically clutches of two and three were reported. Both sexes incubate, although females perform most of the brooding of nestlings; males provide most of the food to chicks and female. Both adults feed fledglings, which are dependent on adults for up nine months. DISTRIBUTION: Occurs throughout the island of Hawai`i from 300 to 2,600 meters (1,000 to 8,530 feet). Based on fossil evidence, they once occurred on Kaua`i, Moloka`i, and Oahu. PUEO The pueo, or Hawaiian short-eared owl, is an endemic subspecies of the nearly pandemic short-eared owl (Asio flammeus; Family: Strigidae). The species is thought to have colonized the Hawaiian Islands sometime after the arrival of Polynesians. Unlike most owls, pueo are active during the day (i.e., diurnal), and are commonly seen hovering or soaring over open areas. Like short-eared owls in continental environments, those in Hawai`i primarily consume small mammals. Their relatively recent establishment on Hawai`i may have been tied to the rats (Rattus exulans) that Polynesians brought to the islands. Little is known about the breeding biology of pueo, but nests have been found throughout the year. Males perform aerial displays known as a sky dancing display to prospective females. Nests are constructed by females and are comprised of simple scrapes in the ground lined with grasses and feather down. Females also perform all incubating and brooding. Males feed females and defend nests. Chicks do not hatch at the same time and are fed by female with food delivered by male. Young may fledge from nest on foot before they are able to fly and depend on their parents for approximately two months. Found on all the Main Hawaiian Islands from sea level to 2,450 meters (8,000 feet). `Alala or Hawaiian Crow Historically at least five crow species (Family: Corvidae) occurred in Hawaii, only the `alala, or Hawaiian crow survives. Like other crows, `alala are loud and sociable. Alala are the largest surviving endemic Hawaiian forest bird. They weigh about 1 pound and are over 1 .5 feet long from bill to tail. They make incredible human-like cries, screams, and moans to communicate with each other. Alala have a life span of 20 or more years in a captive setting. In the wild, the oldest documented bird was 18 years old. The diet primarily consists of native and introduced fruits, invertebrates, and eggs and nestlings of other forest birds. Their diet can also contain nectar, flowers and carrion. Alala are ecologically important as a seed disperser for many native plant species. Historically, seasonal movements in response to weather, breeding season, and availability of food plants (e.g., `ie`ie [Freycinetia arborea]) have been noted. Alala are a highly social and intelligent species. They occur primarily in pairs or family units and have been known to form lifelong social bonds with each other. They develop a social hierarchy at a young age (approximately 1 year). Nests are predominantly constructed in `ohi`a (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees. Both the female and male participate in nest construction, although only females incubate eggs and brood young. Clutch size ranges from two to five eggs, but usually, only one or two nestlings fledge. Fledglings typically do not fly