The omao (Myadestes obscurus), one of two remaining endemic thrushes that were once widespread across the Hawaiian Islands, now persists only on windward Hawaii Island due to habitat loss, predation, and disease. Our project aims to establish a new leeward omao population through translocation to restored forest habitat within the Puuwaawaa Forest Bird Sanctuary. Translocation offers an innovative strategy to expand the species’ range while simultaneously assessing habitat suitability and post-release survival. Individuals were captured from source populations, banded, and fitted with VHF transmitters to monitor movement, territory establishment, and site fidelity. Preliminary results show strong habitat use and foraging behavior near release sites, suggesting early successful acclimation. Continued monitoring through 2026 will assess survival rates, dispersal distance, and vegetation associations. This effort represents a collaborative, multi-agency approach integrating avian ecology, restoration management, and applied conservation to restore ecological processes such as native seed dispersal. Findings from this study will also inform future translocation and recovery planning for other imperiled Hawaiian forest birds.

Erin Bell is a Ph.D. candidate in Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. Her research focuses on Hawaiian forest restoration and avian ecology, examining how native birds contribute to seed dispersal and habitat recovery across restoration landscapes. Her work integrates ecological fieldwork, spatial analysis, and community-based conservation to inform management of native Hawaiian ecosystems. Erin is passionate about bridging science and practice to advance tropical restoration success.