The Big Island is a wonderful place for any serious birder to find see and add new and unusual birds to their life lists.  I have made an effort here on this site to help you find these interesting birds but there are several of the true Hawaiian birds that you will not easily get a chance to find let alone get a good look at.  They will be found in areas that require a permit to visit and you may not qualify for one.  So here I have added a page to give you the option to hire a quality birding guide, who not only has the permits necessary but also the background and knowledge to help you truly enjoy the experience.  The other aspect of birding Hawaii is that several birds found are only found on the Big Island, each of the main Islands have birds that are only found on that Island and nowhere else.  Each of the guides listed are very experienced, they are avid birders and very much enjoy sharing their knowledge with others.  

I have included their website links so you can read more about them and it has information on how to contact them with any questions you may have.  You can book a trip where you are the only person with your private guide, you can join a group and meet people from all over that share your love of the birds, you can learn how to improve your photographic skills and bring home wonderful memories of these wonderful birds.  You will also learn a lot about the history and culture of the Islands and how you can help to be sure these vulnerable birds can be helped to make sure they are around for future generations.

I personally know both Jack and Lance and can highly recommend  them to give you a wonderful experience birding on the Island.  They are experienced, knowledgeable, and are a lot of fun to work with.  If you have any questions send me a note and I will assist in any way that I can.  

As a long time resident of the Big Island of Hawaii, wildlife biologist, photographer and birder, Jack Jeffrey, is intimately familiar with Hawaii’s hidden valleys, remote rainforests and rare birds. He brings to his images the knowledge from over 30 years of observation and study of Hawaii’s endemic birds, as well as those from around the Pacific. He combines a naturalist’s curiosity with a photographer’s patience and technical skill to produce beautiful images. Jack contends’ that “Public awareness is the greatest asset to Hawaii’s imperiled species”. Jack is the recipient of the prestigious National Sierra Club 2002 Ansel Adams’ Award for Conservation Photography, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Recovery Champion Award, Nature Conservancy of Hawaii Kako’o Aina Award, Hawaii Chapter Sierra Club Conservationist of the Year Award, and Hawaii Audubon Society Conservationist of the Year Award.

A partial list of publications that have featured his work include; Audubon Magazine, Smithsonian, Life, Natural History, Birders World, National Wildlife, Pacific Discovery, Defenders of Wildlife, Science, National Park, the National Geographic Canon Endangered Species Series, as well as numerous books, text books, and calendars.  Bird photography has become a passion, almost an obsession for me. Every time I head out to photograph, different opportunities present themselves. Whether it’s different light, birds on feeding on different native flowers, or an unusual behavior…. every day is different. Each opportunity provides me with new and exciting images. I don’t know about you, but I still get excited when I down load my files at the end of the day and see the images on my lap top screen after a long day of shooting.

Many of Hawaii’s birds are on the brink of extinction. I’d hate to think that I’m only recording images of these magnificent creatures for posterity. I’d rather believe that through my photography, I am providing an emotional link between humanity and the birds. If I do what I love… my passion…I feel that I’m doing my best to ensure that Hawaii’s people, and visitors from around the world, will continue to have opportunities to enjoy these colorful forest treasures for many generations to come.

My photography is for the birds!

Jack Jeffrey

Phone: 808-964-3535

Website:  https://jackjeffreyphoto.com/bio

I provide private customized birding trips primarily on the west side of Hawaii Island (Big Island).  On a full-day outing we could see between 25 and 40+ species ranging from forest, grassland, urban, wetland, and coastal bird species.  We may also be able to arrange a pelagic sea birding trip out of Kona with enough advanced notice.

I grew up on the island of Oahu in the town of Kaneohe. I have been birding for over 30 years.  I am also very familiar leading birding trips to Maui, Oahu, and Kauai.  Recently, I led week-long birding trips (Kauai and Hawaii Islands) for Road Scholars.

As a volunteer, I am the Hawaiian Islands Regional Editor for North American Birds journal publication (American Birding Association), Regional Editor for eBird’s Hawaiian Islands and U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Editor of the 8th Edition of Hawaii’s Birds (Hawaii Audubon Society guide book).

Phone: 808-495-6545

Email:  Lance.Tanino@gmail.com 

For More Information see Lance’s Website:      https://www.hawaiibirdingguide.comÂ