Koloa maoli (Anas wyvilliana), or Hawaiian Duck
Project ID: F10AC00080
Federal Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Partner Institution: Oregon State University
Fiscal Year: 2010
Initial Funding: $49,642
Total Funding: $180,747
Project Type: Technical Assistance
Project Disciplines: Biological
Abstract: This project seeks to initiate a conservation effort to remove Koloa-mallard hybrids from the popoulation of birds on Kauai and collect data on daily and seasonal movement by Koloa to inform how hybrid removal projects can be most effeciently designed.Koloa maoli (Anas wyvilliana), or Hawaiian Duck, was listed us federally endangered in 1967 because of habitat loss and introduced predators and currently has the highest recovery priority among the four cmhmgcred waterbirds that ocelli’ on the main Hawaiian Islands. More recently,
hybridization with feral Mallards (A. platyrhynclws) has threatened remaining Koloa populations with loss of genetic integrity and controlling hybrids has been identified as the highest priority need to guarantee short term population persistence. •rhis project seeks to initiate a conservation action to rcmo,,e Koloa-mallard hy•brids from the population of birds on Kauai and collect data on daily and seasonal movements by Koloa to iuf’orm how hybrid removal projects can be most cf!1cicntly designed. We will trap birds at Ham1lei and Httkia NWRs and determine their status (pure Koloa, Kolou-mnllard hybrid) using a morphological key that
-Vas validated fi•om analysis of Koloa and hybrid DNA samples. Birds determined to be hybrids will be euthanizcd, pure Koloa will be banded wilh unique alpha numerically coded bands and released. We will conduct periodic surveys of wetland habitats urmmd Kauai to characterize seasonal movements ofKolon m•oLJnd Kauai by locating banded birds. Results will help remove the immediate threat of hybridiz.ntion to pme Koloa on Knuai and help understand the scale nnd seasonal movements on Kauai to help determine the scale m which additional hybrid removal projects need to be designed.