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Also known as Newell's Shearwater, the A'o is a sub-species of Townsend's Shearwater.
From the series of thirty-three prints, Living Endemic Birds of Hawaii, by Marian Berger.
From www.fws.gov and search: "The Newell’s shearwater or A‘o is a bird of the open tropical seas and offshore waters near breeding grounds. During their nine-month breeding season from April through November, A‘o nest in burrows under ferns on forested mountain slopes. These burrows are used year after year and usually by the same pair of birds. Although the A‘o is capable of climbing shrubs and trees before taking flight, it needs an open downhill flight path through which it can become airborne.
The A'o is a seabird that breeds on the Hawaiian Islands beginning in April. The bird uses claws on its feet to excavate a nest burrow among the roots of trees or in grass. Outside of the breeding season, A'o feed on small fish driven to the surface by tuna and other large ocean predators. They capture their prey by plunging into the water from the air, an uncommon technique among warm-water seabirds."
Copyright Marian Berger. All rights reserved; images are protected under US copyright laws and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner.