Cardinals in Hawaii (All You Need To Know)

Northern Cardinal (cardinal) is the most common of the three species in its genus. Known across the North American continent, these scarlet songbirds range from the northeastern to southwestern United States and south through Mexico to Belize.

These birds are also found on the Hawaiian Islands, which may surprise many birdwatchers. So how did the northern cardinals get to Hawaii, and where exactly do they live on the island?

Three different species of cardinals have been found in Hawaii. The northern cardinal is one of dozens of bird species introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the twentieth century. They have settled in Hawaii since the 1930s and are now common and widespread residents there.

The three main species found in Hawaii are:

• Yellow-billed Cardinal (ginseng)
• Cardinal (corolla)
• Northern Cardinal (cardinal)

yellow-billed cardinal

Red Crown Bishop

Northern cardinals occur on all major islands, especially around disturbed forest habitats and human settlements.

Hawaii isn’t the only place where northern cardinals have been introduced. You can find these beautiful birds in the wild in Bermuda, where they were introduced in the early 19th century.

Some northern cardinal populations in Hawaii are thought to have declined over the past few decades, although they still live and reproduce as healthy, self-sufficient populations.

Read this article to learn all about the northern Hawaiian cardinal, a familiar American bird that thrives far from home.

Do the Cardinals look different in Hawaii?

There is a misconception that the cardinal looks very different in Hawaii, when in fact, it is a completely different species. The red-crested cardinal is different from the northern cardinal we are familiar with, and actually belongs to a completely different family (tanager).

Red-crowned cardinals are usually found in parts of South America, but a population was introduced to Hawaii, where they are now successfully established.

These birds are also commonly called Brazilian cardinals, although their name is not closely related to the true cardinalidae.

northern cardinals

Red Crown Bishop

Does Hawaii have a Cardinal?

People have been moving animals around the world for thousands of years. In some cases, the introduction was accidental, such as in rats and mice. In other situations, we actively move animals with us, the Northern Cardinals in Hawaii being one such example.

The northern cardinal was introduced to Hawaii in 1929 and is now common on the islands in many different habitats. Hawaii is home to a large number of exotic birds. These exotic birds were introduced in the early 20th century by well-meaning bird lovers who wanted to see more exotic birds on the isolated island.

In 1929, the first northern cardinal to fly freely in Hawaii was apparently a bird that escaped from its cage. However, over the next two years, 300-500 birds were brought back from California to Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii to release me. The introduction was successful and the birds colonized and spread to the remaining islands on their own without further assistance.

Male Northern Cardinal in Pololu Valley, Island of Hawaii

Eighteen subspecies of the northern cardinal are found in North America, from northeastern Canada to Guatemala and Belize in Central America. Birds introduced to Hawaii in the early 20th century may have come from subspecies cardinal and Cc cardinal.

A 2018 genetic study found that all living Hawaiian birds likely descended from Cc cardinalHowever, there is a subspecies native to the eastern United States.

Interestingly, the same study found that northern cardinals in Hawaii exhibit a variety of island-specific traits, likely due to genetic bottlenecks in limited populations. It is not possible to accurately count cardinal populations in northern Hawaii, although these birds are plentiful in suitable habitats.

Cardinal perched on top of a tree in Hawaii

Where does the Cardinal live in Hawaii?

Bird watchers can spot northern cardinals on all of Hawaii’s major islands, including:

• Kauai Island
• Hello
• oahu
• Molokai
• Lanai
• Maui
• hawaii

Northern cardinals in Hawaii are most commonly found in disturbed, human-altered habitats. They prefer gardens and open lowland forests with rich understory vegetation. You can also find these birds at higher elevations in undisturbed primary forests, but they are less common in these habitats.

cardinal eating red berries

How rare is it to see a cardinal in Hawaii?

The northern cardinal, commonly known in Hawaiian as manu ʻula ʻula, can be found throughout the islands. However, birders are most likely to see them in drier habitats at lower elevations.

The northern cardinal isn’t the only cardinal species that birders can spot on the island. Yellow-billed Cardinal (ginseng) and Cardinal (corolla) were also introduced to Hawaii from South America.

Read on to learn where to see northern cardinals in Hawaii.

Best Places to Watch the Cardinals in Hawaii

Northern Cardinals are common throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Look for them in low-lying areas where people live and disturb the natural environment.

You can see the Hawaiian Northern Cardinals at the following locations:

Maui

• Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
• Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Refuge
• Wai’ānapanpa State Park

hawaii island

• Keāhole point
• Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
• Honua’ula Forest Reserve

Kauai Island

• Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

North Maui cardinal eats seeds on the ground

Do the Cardinals live in Hawaii year-round?

Northern Cardinals will not migrate to or from Hawaii. They are sedentary, although they naturally disperse among the islands after being introduced decades ago.

Of course, this sedentary behavior is not unique among northern cardinals. These birds also do not migrate across the continental United States.

It’s a good thing cardinals don’t migrate from Hawaii because the nearest mainland landmass is almost 2000 miles away, which is a very long flight distance for a songbird!

Do Cardinals Nest in Hawaii?

Cardinals are breeding residents that nest throughout the Hawaiian Islands. They nest and reproduce to maintain viable populations without further introductions.

When Do Cardinals Nest in Hawaii

Hawaiian cardinals build their nests in the summer. They build nests in trees and shrubs, laying two to five spotted eggs.

The female northern cardinal incubates the eggs for seven to 11 days, and the chicks stay in the nest for another week or two before being ready to fled.

A male cardinal perched on a branch in Hawaii

How to Attract Cardinals in Hawaii

Northern cardinals are easy to attract because they regularly visit fresh water sources and like bird food. Putting a bird feeder or simply spreading a small amount of food on the ground is a great way to attract these birds. If you use a bird feeder, be sure to clean it regularly, as good hygiene is essential when feeding wild birds.

Northern cardinals have a varied diet. They like the following food types:

• sunflower seeds
• peanut
• broken corn
• Mealworms
• fruit and berries

A bird bath or water feature is a very effective way to attract many Hawaiian birds. Birds visit water sources regularly to drink and bathe. Hygiene is equally important when supplying water, so keep your water basin clean at all times.