The highly invasive red-vented bulbuls were recently spotted on Maui, according to the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

The birds have been established on Oahu as early as the 1950s, probably because of an unauthorized release and have caused massive crop damage, especially to the orchid industry, but they have not yet been established on any of the other Hawaiian island.

What You Need To Know

  • Several red-vented bulbuls have been observed on Maui over the years, but they were successfully removed

  • In the last month, more spottings have occurred, but it's not clear if it's the same bird or multiple birds

  • Red-vented bulbuls have plagued fruit farmers and flower nurseries by traveling in large groups and devouring commercial crops

  • If the birds become established on Maui, they could pose a serious threat to native forests and watersheds on Maui

The Maui Invasive Species Committee said in a press release that there have been several red-vented bulbul sightings on Maui since late November in Kahului and Spreckelsville near Stable Road, Maui Mall and Queen Kaahumanu Center, and in West Maui at Honolua and the Kapalua Golf Course.

Several red-vented bulbuls have been observed on Maui over the years, but they were successfully removed, according to the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

The birds are native to Asia and are considered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Top 100 Invasive Species worldwide.

Red-vented bulbuls are on the State of Hawaii’s Injurious Species list, which makes it illegal to release or transport them to other parts of the state or export them without a permit.

On Oahu, the birds have plagued fruit farmers and flower nurseries by traveling in large groups and devouring commercial crops such as papaya, mango, lychee, and bananas. The Maui Invasive Species Committee reports they also like orchids buds, and one year caused over $300,000 in damage to the orchid industry. The red-vented bulbuls also disperse plant pests that the invasive species committees are concerned about, such as ivy gourd and miconia.

If the birds become established on Maui, they could pose a serious threat to native forests and watersheds on Maui, which are important ecosystems for native birds and other native plants and animals. The red-vented bulbuls are an aggressive species that chase other birds and compete for food and space.

Chris Warren, the Forest Bird Program Coordinator at Haleakala National Park, spotted a male red-vented bulbul on Nov. 28, 2021, along Stable Road. Following this sighting, the birds have been seen near Costco, Whole Foods and Queen Kaahumanu Center in Kahului. The Maui Invasive Species Committee said it was unknown if it’s the same bird being spotted or whether there are multiple birds traveling in the area.

On Dec. 2, 2021, two more birds were also spotted near Honolua and Kapalua Golf Course, but the Maui Invasive Species Committee said it’s not confirmed that these are red-vented bulbuls.

The red-vented bulbuls are usually about eight-and-a-half inches long and have a similar body shape to the already established red-crested and northern cardinals, wearing a similar pointed crest on their heads. Adults are dark with a white abdomen and rump and bright red feathers under their tail. They also have a white tip at the end of their tail. The birds are often seen scavenging in parks, hunting for insects in the evenings, sitting on telephone wires, and are one of the few birds that land on the side of trees.

The red-vented bulbuls also have distinct and loud calls.

People on Maui are encouraged to report any red-vented bulbul sightings to 643pest.org or call 808-643-7378. Descriptions or photos of the birds and the time and place observed would be helpful.