Jeff Lubeck

Hoaloha in the pā hale at WaimeaBeachHouse

A friend (Hoaloha) has been visiting our back yard (pā hale) at the WaimeaBeachHouse.

Our friend is the Mejiro. The bird is often confused with the Hawaiian Honeycreeper. The key difference visually can be determined by the eyes of the birds. The Mejiro has white surrounding its eye. However, the Honeycreeper does not.

The Mejiro is native to east Asia. It was introduced to Kauai by the Hui Manu in 1927, and on other islands in 1929. For more information on the Mejiro look [here].

I captured these images in the late afternoon followed by a sunrise.

Mejiro in the late afternoon.

Mejiro at sunrise.

Mejiro at sunrise.

New Ka Hale for Cardinal at WaimeaBeachHouse

A male and female Red Crested Cardinal are building a new Ka Hale (home) for their ‘Ohana (family). This includes a new punana manu (birds nest) in a Kumu Nui (coconut palm tree).

Building the New Ka Hale

Guarding the nest as it is being built.

Guarding the Nest – Closeup.

Need some more nest material

The Red Crested Cardinal is not actually a Cardinal. It is part of the Tanager family. The bird’s native habitat is the northern part of Brazil. It was first introduced to Kauai in 1928. The birds mate for life and have two broods a year that include about 1-4 eggs each time. For more on the Red Crested Cardinal look [here].

Strolling in the Front Yard

You Talkin To Me

On Friday night, me and Linda, and The Border Collies are sitting on the Lanai enjoying the breeze. So us guys, the chickens, Cattle Egret, Mourning dove, sparrow, Myna, and White Rumped Shama are minding our own business. All of a sudden the two Red Crested Cardinal fly out of their house and down into the front yard. Then one of them looks over to me. It heads over to the Lanai saying something…

New pēpē for the Shama ʻOhana?

The White Rumped Shama Family of the WaimeBeachHouse appear to be expecting new hatchlings.


Mom	Dad

The White Rumped Shama has lived on Kauai since the 1931. They were introduced to Oahu in 1940. The bird originates in Southeast India. They live in South America, Oahu USA and Kauai USA.

This pair have lived with us for about four years. Their nest is likely in the Shower Tree or Frangipani Tree in our backyard. Both trees are in full flower and where the two spend a great of time time.

Shama Songbird

The White Rumped Shama is a songbird with a soothing call that has a terrific melody. It sings throughout the day next to our breakfast window. The first recordings of bird sounds was made by German Ludwig Koch on an Edison wax cylinder. The White Rumped Shama was one of the first.

The sound is located [here].