A ‘ua‘u kani, or wedge-tailed shearwater, is one of the native seabirds found in Hawaii. Courtesy photo

More than 1,000 native seabirds were rescued between September and December, according to the Hawaii Wildlife Center, which is reporting a record fallout season.

With 1,441 native birds treated so far this year, the total has already surpassed last year’s count of 1,028. In the early part of the season, the center that operates on Oahu also marked its 6,000th bird treated since opening in 2011.

In recognition of the achievement, Gov. Josh Green signed a proclamation declaring Dec. 15 as Native Bird and Bat Day in Hawaii.

Bird release

During the peak of fallout season in November, the center admitted 983 ‘ua’u kani, or wedge-tailed shearwaters, including 102 birds in a single day. Nearly 800 seabirds have been released back into the wild to date.

The center encourages residents and visitors to remain alert for grounded native birds and bats year-round and to report them so they can receive proper care.

For more information about what to do if you find a seabird in distress on Maui, go to https://mauinuiseabirds.org/found-a-bird-2/.

‘Ua’u kani (wedge-tailed shearwater). Courtesy photo

An adult ‘Ua’u kani (wedge-tailed shearwater). Courtesy photo