The 'ʻAlae keʻokeʻo, also known as the Hawaiian coot in English, is a bird in the rail family, Rallidae, that is endemic to Hawaiʻi. In Hawaiian, ʻalae is a noun and means mud hen. Kea or its synonym keo is an adjective for white. It is similar to the American coot at 33–40.6 cm (13–16 in) in length and weighing around 700 g. It has black plumage and a prominent white frontal shield. Its natural habitats are freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, coastal saline lagoons, and water storage areas. The bird was federally listed in October 1970 as an endangered species and is considered both endemic and endangered by the state of Hawaiʻi. It is threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators such as the small Asian mongoose. The Makalawena Marsh on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi has been listed as a National Natural Landmark to preserve one of its last nesting areas.
Region
Central Pacific (Hawaiian Islands)
Typical Environment
Occurs on several main Hawaiian Islands in lowland wetlands, including freshwater marshes, ponds, reservoirs, irrigation ditches, and taro fields, as well as coastal brackish lagoons and salt ponds. It favors shallow, vegetated waters with extensive emergent cover for nesting. Outside the breeding season it may aggregate at larger wetlands and managed refuges. It tolerates some human-modified habitats but remains sensitive to rapid water-level changes and disturbance.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called ʻAlae keʻokeʻo, this coot is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and closely resembles the American coot but has a larger, bright white frontal shield. The size and shape of the shield can swell during breeding and is used in displays. It readily uses human-made wetlands such as reservoirs and taro fields, which can help sustain local numbers. Major threats include wetland loss, introduced predators, and water-level fluctuations during nesting.
Temperament
Wary but can be bold; territorial during breeding, more gregarious otherwise.
Flight Pattern
Short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights; often runs along the water surface to take off.
Social Behavior
Breeding pairs defend small territories in dense emergent vegetation and build floating or anchored platform nests. Clutches are tended by both parents, and chicks are semi-precocial and may be moved between brood-rearing sites. Outside the breeding season, birds may form loose flocks at productive wetlands.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp kek-kek notes, grunts, and squeaks, often given in rapid series. Calls become more frequent and aggressive during territorial encounters and courtship.
