Birds
and Plants of Kauai:
Akekeke
by Linda Pascatore on 20 February 2006
The Akekeke or Ruddy Turnstone, is an indigenous bird found in the
winter months on rocky beaches of Hawaii and other tropical Pacific
coasts. They are called Turnstones because they turn stones over
with their beaks to find and eat the small insects and crustaceans
underneath. They occasionally will also eat small fish, carrion,
and other bird’s eggs. They nest and summer over in the Arctic
tundra, from April until August, although a few have been seen to
summer over in Hawaii.
The ‘Akekeke, or Arenaria interpres, is about 9 inches song,
and has red legs and a black bill which is slightly upturned at
the tip. During the winter months, they have brown backs, white
below, and a black bib on the neck. In flight, you will see a black
and white pattern on wings, back and rump. 
Flock of Akekeke taking wing by Harvey Perkins at www.canberrabirds.org.au
During the summer months, their breeding plumage is more of a reddish
brown and the black color is deeper. The Turnstone calls in a fast,
guttural slurred whistle, and the Hawaiian name ‘akekeke is
an imitation of its call. They nest in mud flats in the Arctic Circle.
The Turnstone first builds a “dummy nest”, then later
scrape out a hollow in the ground lined with grass and lichen. Their
eggs are greenish speckled with brown, and are usually found four
to a nest. They hatch after 20 days, and it takes another 20 days
before the hatchlings can fly.
They are found on rocky, rather than sandy, beaches, and also in
mud flats and flooded pastures and grasslands. A flock can sometimes
be seen at Salt Pond Beach Park in Hanapepe, on the West Side of
Kauai. They fly quickly, and often a flock will rise and turn in
unison. 
Akekeke atNine Springs, Wisconsin © Michael
McDowell at www.birddigiscoping.com
In Hawaiian mythology the ‘Akekeke is a messenger of the gods
sent across the ocean to carry missives to other islands. In one
legend, the bird was sent to warn and protect Princess Paliuli,
when Prince Aiwahi tried to destroy her.
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