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Also known as the Hawaiian Moorhen, a subspecies of the Common Moorhen.
From the series of thirty-three prints, Living Endemic Birds of Hawaii, by Marian Berger.
From www.fws.gov: "The ‘alae ‘ula is a dark gray bird with a black head and neck, and white feathers on their flanks and on their undertail coverts (or feathers). They have a very distinctive red frontal shield, and their bill tip is yellow with a red base. Their legs and feet are greenish and without lobes. Both sexes are similar and have chicken-like cackles and croaks. The ‘alae ‘ula is known as the most secretive native waterbird. In Hawaiian legend, these birds were thought to have brought fire from the gods to the Hawaiian people. Endangered."
According to legend, the 'Alae'ula brought fire to the Hawaiian people from the volcano home of the gods. As he did, his formerly white brow was burned by the volcano's fire, giving this wary water bird its distinctive red forehead. 'Alae'ula are quite secretive, staying close to vegetation and quickly hiding when they sense danger.
Copyright Marian Berger. All rights reserved; images are protected under US copyright laws and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner.