Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: Pacific Island Ecosystem Research Center assumes no responsibility for the contents or accuracy of any of the information presented on this page. Use of trade names or commercial products by users of this page in no way implies endorsement by Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, the U.S. Geological Survey, or the U.S. Government.
While intended as an open forum for our guests to provide information to other users of this site, we reserve the right to remove any comments or links inappropriate to the mission of this site. We will respond only to questions that fall within the expertise of our staff.

---

What is the Palila?
The palila (Loxioides bailleui) is an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper that has had the longest history of monitoring of any of Hawai'i's forest birds. Annual population estimates have fluctuated greatly with a mean population of 3,390 +/- 333 birds and a range of ~1,800-5,600 birds from 1980-1995. The palila is increasingly becoming restricted to the west slope of Mauna Kea, occupying ~5% of its historical range.

---

What do the Palila eat?
Palila depend on mamane (Sophora chrysophylla) forest for the majority of their dietary intake as well as for nesting sites and shelter.

---

Laysan Teal
Dear Sir
At a duck and goose auction here in the UK last Sunday I bought 2 pairs of Laysan Teal ... (an older female and 2 males and 1 female hatched this Spring). Having researched them on the web I feel obliged to contact you for advice on keeping and hopefully providing the correct environment for them to breed in captivity. Also do you have any project for rereleasing them into their natural environment.
I have long been interested in conservation work .. inspired by Geral Durrell and the Jersey Zoo .. and now unwittingly find myself in this position.
If you can advise me in any way it would be much appreciated. Yours thankfully Sue J. Randle (Wimborne, Dorset, UK)

There are two contacts that will be most helpful for the care of captive LADU. I am involved in planning a restoration and research on the wild ducks. Contact Dr. Frank Mckinney in Minnesota and Dr. Ruth Crommie at the Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust in England for care of captives. I would be interested in the breeding success of your LADU (prebreeding weights, nest success, nest initiation dates, clutch size, brood care and survival etc.) We could compare there reproduction to those of the wild birds. In the wild LADU require dense nesting cover and males can be aggressive during breeding but I have not worked with them in captivity. Thanks for your interest in the Laysan teal!

---

Michael B comments:
I was reviewing this website for a class project but found that this website is very informative..I have bookmarked it and plan to come back to it and read everything I can...There is so much to learn about Hawaii and its sad that I only get to stay here for a short time.

---

kel-ston Iva: "Could you please tell me what are the polynesian rats food source ?"

---

Regina asks
How can you see the difference between male and female? I'm living in Belgium,and I have two Laysan ducks,but I don't now how to see the difference. Greetings from Belgium, Regina

Dear Regina, How old are your ducks? The are difficult to sex before 6 months. After 6 months you'll notice contrast on the legs and bill. Males have a dark greenish bill with a black saddle or mottling across the bill. The females have a lighter, more pinkish bill with dark mottling. Mature males have brighter orange legs. Males are usually slightly larger. The other way to distinguish the sexes is by their quacks. Males have a quiet low quack, females a distinct sharp quack. Good luck, Michelle
Webmaster Note: Regina your E-mail reply was returned Recipient address rejected: User Unknown but the answer to your question is stated above

---

Rachel asks
Hi, I have a question and this address was the only I could find on the site. I work with a wildlife center in CA, and am currently caretaking of a crow that has a light case of Cutaneous Avian Pox. (only one wart on his eye). Because another bird that they had had this before, it was destroyed. Does that mean that this one needs to be put to death as well? Or can medication take care of the pox? Thank you!?
The bird should recover on it's own as long as they provide supportive care, but it should be quarantined from other birds to prevent contact transmission. There is no medication that can cure the pox infection, but they may want to treat the bird with antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections in the pox lesion. It may take up to 4 weeks for the lesion to resolve itself. I would advise them to seek advise from a veterinarian.

---

Geree asks
I am planning on moving to Hawaii with my cat. My question is: do mongeese threaten cats? I heard recently that mongeese will attack and kill cats. Is this true? Thanks for the info, Geree
I am aware of anecdotal reports of mongoose preying on kittens or small cats. The reverse situation also appears to happen: a few weeks ago in Kona someone described to me witnessing a feral cat attacking and killing a small mongoose. These cases must be rare, as Tomich's (Mammals in Hawaii) account of the mongoose from 1986 does not mention such records. I think it would be safe to say that mongoose pose little or no threat to adult cats. Also note that there are no mongoose on Kauai. David
you also might tell her that if she lets her cat out of the house, it could contract diseases from wild cats, not to mention threatening native birds (depending on where she lives). - paul

---

Kelsey asks
To whom it may consern, Hi, I'm a student at Enchanted Lake Elementary School. I am doing a project on endangered animals. I happened to find your picture on a disease that hurts my bird. I was wondering if I can use or burrow one of your pictures.
The scientist replys " I took the picture and I think it is OK to use it as long as USGS is acknowledged."