Kalij Pheasant - Lophura leucomelanos

We were told that there are a lot of birds at the Volcano National Park at the Big Island of Hawaii. True enough, the very first bird we saw was a Kalij Pheasant - another introduced species whose population had increased rapidly. It was a lifer for us. They were quite plentiful at the park - we saw them again when we returned two days later.

These colorful ground dwellers are a native of south Asia ranging from the Himalayan forests to western Thailand. It was introduced to the Big Island of Hawaii in 1962. 

Kalij Pheasant - Lophura leucomelanos
Volcano National Park, Hawaii
March 27, 2012

Canon 5D Mk II, 300mm+1.4X (420mm)
ISO-1600, 1/1000, f5.6, handheld
available light

The female lacks the bright blue coloring on the neck and has a scaly brown plumage. 

(Some individuals were banded by the Park Rangers to monitor the population).

Grey Francolin - Francolinus pondicerianus

One of the surest ways to see a Grey Francolin is at the vicinity of the Mauna Lani Hotel in the Big Island of Hawaii. We were looking for a place to park our rented car when Cynthia shouted, "there it is!" I quickly stopped the car next to the sidewalk. My wife grabbed the camera lying in the back seat and fired away. 

The last time we saw this bird it was at the grassy area between the hotel building and the beach. We were surprised (and relieved) that this time we were able to see our target bird just next to the parking lot!

Grey Francolins are found in the grasslands and scrublands of South Asia. In 1958 this species was introduced to all the main islands of Hawaii but it was on the Big Island that they became more common.

Grey Francolin - Francolinus pondicerianus
Kona, Hawaii
March 28, 2012

Canon 5D Mk II, 300mm+1.4X (420mm)
ISO-100, 1/640, f6.3 from car window