Creating bird-friendly landscapes in Hawaii is both an ecological responsibility and a practical way to bring native wildlife back into our yards, farms, and restoration projects. The islands lost many bird habitats to urbanization, invasive plants, and disease. Thoughtful planting of trees that provide nectar, fruit, shelter, and nesting sites is one of the most effective actions individuals and communities can take to support native and endemic bird populations. This article outlines species to prioritize, how to plant and maintain them, and practical design strategies for different island conditions and elevations.
Why plant bird-friendly trees in Hawaii?
Hawaii hosts a unique suite of endemic birds — many of which are threatened or endangered. Bird-friendly trees provide essential resources:
- food (nectar, fruit, seeds, insects hosted on the plant)
- shelter and nesting sites
- perches and territory markers
- connectivity between habitat patches for movement and genetic exchange
Replacing weedy or invasive trees with native and culturally important “canoe” plants helps restore ecological function and supports pollinators and insect food webs that birds rely on. In addition to wildlife benefits, these trees can reduce erosion, shade crops, and reconnect people to native landscapes.
Native versus non-native choices: principles to follow
Choosing what to plant requires balancing ecological benefit, availability, and site constraints.
- Prioritize native and endemic species whenever practical. They evolved with Hawaiian birds and offer the best long-term support.
- Use Polynesian-introduced “canoe plants” (for example kukui or uhiuhi) where natives are unavailable or to meet cultural landscape goals — they are often bird-friendly and well-adapted.
- Avoid invasive, aggressive non-native trees that produce abundant fruit eaten by introduced birds or rodents and that displace native understory (for example strawberry guava, Australian cheesewood, and certain Ficus species).
- Match species to island, elevation, rainfall, and soil type. A montane koa-ohia mix will not thrive on a hot, dry leeward slope.
Top native and culturally important trees to plant for birds
Below are recommended species grouped by function (nectar, fruit, structure) and by the typical Hawaiian environments where they perform best. For each entry I include common name, scientific name, key bird benefits, and planting tips.
Nectar- and flower-producing trees (support honeycreepers and nectar feeders)
- Ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
- Benefits: Iconic native tree with abundant red (and sometimes yellow or orange) flowers that feed many native honeycreepers and generalist nectar feeders.
- Planting tips: Adaptable across elevation and moisture gradients. Plant in well-drained soils, avoid planting clones from areas affected by Rapid Ohia Death if disease is a concern. Provide protection from grazing and weeds while young.
- Wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis)
- Benefits: Produces showy coral-colored flowers attractive to pollinators; also provides open branching for perching.
- Planting tips: Suited to dry, leeward sites. Drought-tolerant once established. Note that it goes dormant in drought periods — combine with evergreen companions for year-round cover.
Fruit-bearing and berry-producing trees (feedip fruit-eating species and nectar feeders that supplement diet)
- Koa (Acacia koa)
- Benefits: Produces seeds and supports insect communities that many birds eat; excellent canopy for nesting and perching.
- Planting tips: Thrives at middle to high elevations in moderately wet to mesic soils. Grows relatively fast; provides nitrogen fixation to improve poor soils.
- Mamane (Sophora chrysophylla)
- Benefits: Key species in certain dry to subalpine forests; integral to the diets of some endangered honeycreepers at higher elevations.
- Planting tips: Plant in well-draining soils at higher elevations; can be slow to establish and may need watering through first years.
- Loulu palms (Pritchardia spp.)
- Benefits: Produce fruit eaten by native birds and provide shelter; many species are endemic to specific islands.
- Planting tips: Best in coastal to lowland mesic forests. Protect young palms from roosting rats and slugs.
Structural and nesting trees (provide cavities, dense foliage, and roost sites)
- Naio (Myoporum sandwicense)
- Benefits: Hardy native tree with dense foliage suitable for shelter and nesting; hosts insects.
- Planting tips: Tolerant of coastal and upland sites; adaptable to poor soils.
- Hala (Pandanus tectorius)
- Benefits: Coastal tree with large crowns used by seabirds and native land birds for perching and shelter.
- Planting tips: Plant near coasts; tolerates salt spray and sandy soils.
- Hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus)
- Benefits: Fast-growing coastal tree that provides dense foliage, flowers, and seeds used by birds.
- Planting tips: Good for shoreline restoration and windbreaks; coppices well.
Polynesian-introduced (canoe) trees that help birds
- Kukui (Aleurites moluccana)
- Benefits: Not endemic but culturally important and bird-friendly — produces flowers and seeds that attract insects and offer shelter.
- Planting tips: Thrives in many environments. Use as a companion tree where natives are scarce.
Designing a bird-friendly planting plan
A successful plan goes beyond single trees. Aim to recreate a layered, resilient habitat.
- Spatial structure: Combine canopy trees, midstory trees/shrubs, and understory plants so birds can find food and shelter at all heights.
- Seasonal resources: Plant a mix of species that flower and fruit at different times of year to provide continuous resources.
- Native understory: Include native shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers that host insects and provide nesting material.
- Connectivity: Place new plantings in corridors between existing forest patches or extend remnant native stands to reduce isolation.
- Predator control: Where possible, reduce rat, mongoose, and feral cat impacts around nesting sites. Use traps or exclusion fencing when appropriate and legal.
Practical planting and maintenance tips
- Site selection: Match species to elevation, rainfall, exposure, and soil drainage. Local nursery staff and native plant societies can advise on microclimate matches.
- Planting stock: Start with locally sourced or island-specific seed stock if available; plants grown from local seed are more likely to be adapted to local pests, pathogens, and climate.
- Spacing and grouping: Plant trees in small clusters rather than isolated specimens. Clusters provide safer feeding and nesting opportunities and are more attractive to birds.
- Mulch and weed management: Mulch around new trees to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Control invasive grasses and woody weeds that compete with young natives.
- Watering and care: Water regularly during establishment for 1-3 years depending on rainfall and species. After establishment, many natives tolerate local conditions without irrigation.
- Avoid pesticides: Insect prey are a vital food source for many birds. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides and herbicides that reduce insect abundance or poison birds.
Example plant palettes by landscape type
Coastal garden (warm, salty, sandy)
- Pritchardia spp. (loulu palms)
- Pandanus tectorius (hala)
- Hibiscus tiliaceus (hau)
- Aleurites moluccana (kukui)
- Myoporum sandwicense (naio)
Lowland mesic to wet garden (neighborhood restoration)
- Metrosideros polymorpha (ohia)
- Acacia koa (koa)
- Dodonaea viscosa (akeake) as a nurse shrub
- Native ferns and shrub understory such as Vaccinium spp. where appropriate
Upland and montane restoration (higher elevation)
- Koa (Acacia koa)
- Ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha)
- Sophora chrysophylla (mamane) where elevation and soil allow
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Planting invasive fruit trees: Some attractive non-native fruit trees support invasive species and rodents; avoid species known to spread aggressively.
- Homogeneous plantings: Single-species stands are vulnerable to disease (Rapid Ohia Death is an example) and offer limited resources. Mix species and genetic stock.
- Ignoring predator pressure: Nest predation by rats and mongooses is a leading cause of nesting failure. Combine planting with predator management near high-priority nesting sites.
- Overuse of irrigation and fertilizers: Excess nutrients can favor invasive weeds and algae in ground runoff; use organic mulch and minimal, targeted fertilization.
Monitoring success and continuing stewardship
After planting, monitor bird use to measure success: note species visiting, nesting behavior, and seasonal use. Keep records of survival rates of plantings and adjust species choices if certain plants consistently fail. Engage neighbors and local conservation groups — larger coordinated plantings establish habitat more quickly and control predators more effectively.
Practical takeaways
- Prioritize native and culturally important canoe plants that provide nectar, fruit, shelter, and insect habitat.
- Design for layered habitat and seasonal overlap so birds have continuous resources.
- Match species to local elevation, rainfall, and soil conditions; clusters and corridors outperform isolated trees.
- Protect young plantings from weeds, invasive predators, and disease; avoid pesticides.
- Work with local nurseries and restoration groups to obtain appropriate seed stock and to coordinate monitoring and predator control.
Planting bird-friendly trees in Hawaii is a long-term investment in ecosystems, cultural landscapes, and future generations of native birds. With strategic species selection, careful site preparation, and ongoing stewardship, even small properties can become safe havens that help sustain Hawaii’s remarkable avifauna.