‘Akekeke is an abundant winter visitor in Hawaii arriving in August and heading to its arctic breading grounds in April and May. A few have been known to oversummer in Hawaii.
They are 9″ with short black bills and legs that are a reddish orange. In flight you can see the bold black pattern on the wings and back.
Their call is a clear rattle or soft whistle.
‘Akekeke frequent the shoreline and mudflats in small flocks and with other shorebirds. Their flight is rapid and an entire clock may rise and turn in unison.
