Hawaiian Birds You Can See From Your Rainforest Lanai
Mist drifts between the trees, the air feels cool and still, and then the first notes of birdsong rise from the canopy. Mornings in Volcano Village begin softly. From your lanai, coffee steaming beside you, the rainforest feels alive as flashes of red, green, and gray dart among the ʻōhiʻa blossoms. Staying at our Big Island Bed and Breakfast means you don’t need to go far for a morning of Hawai‘i birdwatching. The rainforest brings its wonders right to your doorstep.
What You Can See From Your Lanai
Our grounds are home to some of the most iconic native Hawaiian birds. Watch for the crimson ʻapapane, its red plumage glowing against the scarlet lehua blossoms. The bright green Hawai‘i ʻamakihi often flits busily from flower to flower, while the curious Kalij Pheasant likes to perch nearby, cocking its head as if to greet you. If you’re lucky, you might hear the flute-like call of the ʻōmaʻo, a gray Hawaiian thrush found only on the Big Island. Keep an ear out, too, for the distinctive “whit-whit” of the Japanese white-eye or the chatter of saffron finches, which sometimes mix with the chorus at dawn.
The best viewing comes within the first hour after sunrise. As the forest wakes, the soft morning light filters through the leaves, making it easier to spot birds as they feed. It’s the perfect opportunity to slow down and practice the art of forest bathing as the sound of birdsong echoes around you.
Two Easy Bird Walks Near the Lodge
If you’d like to venture out, two trails just minutes from the lodge offer some of the best Big Island birds in their native habitat.
Kīpukapuaulu Bird Park
This 1.2-mile loop trail is famous for birdwatching. The kipuka, an older pocket of forest spared by lava, is rich with native plants that support honeycreepers and thrushes. Here you might spot the endangered Hawai‘i creeper, a small honeycreeper with olive plumage known for climbing tree trunks in search of insects. The Hawaiian ‘akepa, a bright orange honeycreeper, has also been seen here in the upper branches of old-growth ʻōhiʻa. The trail is also home to the ʻio, the Hawaiian hawk, which sometimes soars above the canopy, and the nēnē, Hawai‘i’s state bird, grazing quietly in the open meadows. The path is level and shaded, making it approachable for beginner birders and families alike.
Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)
Just down the road, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the rainforest trail to Nāhuku offers another chance to see native Hawaiian birds. At dawn, the canopy comes alive with a chorus of native calls that echo through the towering hāpuʻu ferns and ʻōhiʻa trees. You may not always see the birds right away, but if you arrive before the crowds, you’ll hear the rapid chatter of honeycreepers darting overhead or catch the flutter of wings as they feed among the blossoms. The walk is short, but the sounds and sights in the early morning are unforgettable.
Along Crater Rim Drive and the Mauna Loa Strip Road, you’ll also find excellent roadside stops. When ʻōhiʻa are in bloom, honeycreepers flock to the trees, offering an easy and beautiful sighting from the pullouts. These routes also tie in well if you’re planning longer hikes on the Big Island.
Hear the Unique Calls of these Native Hawaiian Birds
Courtesy of The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
What to Bring for a Calm Morning
Birdwatching in the Hawai‘i rainforest doesn’t require much. A compact pair of binoculars can help, and if you’re not sure what to wear in Hawaii, a light rain shell will keep you comfortable during passing showers. Trail shoes are useful on damp paths, and wearing quiet colors helps you blend into the forest. Most importantly, give yourself time. The birds often reward those who are patient.
For photos, a long lens captures more detail, though many guests simply use a phone to frame the rainforest atmosphere. Stay on trails, never feed wildlife, and avoid playback apps that mimic bird calls. These small courtesies help keep the birds safe.
Breakfast, Timing, and a Simple Plan
The flow of a birdwatcher’s morning here is simple and restorative. Step outside at first light to watch native Hawaiian birds from your lanai. Return indoors to enjoy your in-room breakfast of fruits and pastries delivered to your in-room refrigerator daily. Then set out for Kīpukapuaulu Bird Park by early morning, when sightings are plentiful. By midday, return to the quiet of your room, rest by the fireplace, and enjoy the stillness of the forest.
Fall is a particularly rewarding season. October brings more bird activity, and you may see migratory visitors like the Pacific golden plover, or kōlea, passing through. Still, the highlight of Hawai‘i birdwatching in Volcano remains the native forest birds, thriving in their rainforest home.
Respect the Rainforest and its Wildlife
Every sighting is also a reminder of the care this landscape deserves. Drive slowly on park roads, as nēnē often forage nearby. Pack out all trash, stay on marked paths, and give space to wildlife. These simple acts ensure that the rainforest and its birds continue to thrive.
Plan Your Stay Near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The best birdwatching happens at dawn, and staying in a Volcano rainforest retreat just minutes from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park makes it easy to be in the right place at the right time. At Volcano Village Lodge, you’ll wake to the songs of ʻapapane and ʻamakihi, enjoy breakfast on your private lanai, and reach trailheads in just five minutes.
Book your stay now and let your mornings begin with birdsong in the rainforest.