Hawaiin Coot
Fulica alai

f6.7 @ 1/5000s, ISO:1250, Nikon D3S w 500mm and 1.7X teleconverter

\"Hawaiian Coot,\" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.The Hawaiian coot, also known as the ʻalae kea in Hawaiian, is a bird in the rail family, Rallidae, that is endemic to Hawaiʻi. It is similar to the American coot at 33–40.6 cm (13.0–16.0 in) in length and weighing around 700 g (1.5 lb). It has black plumage and a prominent white frontal shield. Its natural habitats are freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, coastal saline lagoons, and water storage areas. The bird was federally listed in October 1970 as an endangered species and is considered both endemic and endangered by the state of Hawaii. It is threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators such as the small Asian mongoose.

Kealia Pond NWR, Maui, Hawaii

07/29/2016