Definitions

Hi guys! As I was writing my last entry, I realized that not everyone will understand some of the terminology I'm using.  If there's a word in the blog posts that you don't understand (and that I don't explain) please refer here!  If it's not here, leave a comment with your question and I will try to answer the best I can.

Endemic: A species (or subspecies) that can only be found in one place in the world (e.g. the Nene in Hawaii). Hawaii's Bird Definition: "Species and subspecies that evolved in Hawai‘i and are found nowhere else in the world." (7)

Indigenous: Species that can be found in multiple locations (Think of like the Laysan Albatross.  Or the Green Sea Turtle) Hawaii's Birds Definition: Species that arrived to the Islands unassisted by man and established breeding populations but that occur elsewhere in the world.

Alien: Species introduced to and established in Hawai‘i by man. (Like the mongoose or dogs).

Visitor/Migratory: Hawaii's Birds Def: Regular migrants, species that arrive in the fall to spend the winter in Hawai‘i and depart in spring(winter visitors) or pass through during migration (transient visitors).  Examples would be the Humpback Whale or the Kolea (Golden Plover).

Endangered: Species that have been put on the Federal list of Endangered Species, that have a high chance of becoming extinct.