Flyby. Koa'e Kea Over Halema'uma'u

Koa'e Kea, or White-Tailed Tropicbird, is one of the most beautiful birds to be seen in Hawaii. Koa'e Kea is indigenous to Hawaii and  breeds throughout the Hawaiian archipelago, most notably on the sea cliffs of Kaua'i and the volcanic crater walls of Halema'uma'u Crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Koa'e Kea are easily observed flying about Kilauea Caldera during their breeding season, and can be seen zooming near the lava fountains during an eruption. Once their chick is fledged the birds spend the rest of the year on and above the open ocean.