Birds in Hawaii in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see birds in Hawaii. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 15,018 of the 146,354 sightings logged across the year (10.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for birds in Hawaii
10.3%
of yearly sightings
15,018
records in December
#2
busiest month of 12
146,354
verified records a year
November 7.6%, December 10.3%, January 9.7%. Busiest month is March at 11.2%.
146,354 verified observations of birds in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When birds are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
March
16,338 records (11.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 14,259 | 9.7% |
| February | 12,530 | 8.6% |
| Marchpeak | 16,338 | 11.2% |
| April | 13,671 | 9.3% |
| May | 13,746 | 9.4% |
| June | 12,155 | 8.3% |
| July | 9,550 | 6.5% |
| August | 9,668 | 6.6% |
| September | 9,080 | 6.2% |
| October | 9,249 | 6.3% |
| November | 11,090 | 7.6% |
| Decemberpeak | 15,018 | 10.3% |
Birds you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-crested Cardinal | 9,343 |
| Zebra Dove | 8,920 |
| Common Myna | 7,889 |
| Pacific Golden-Plover | 7,258 |
| Western Cattle-Egret | 6,356 |
| Red Junglefowl | 6,049 |
| Hawaiian Goose | 5,238 |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | 4,914 |
In Hawaii, December carries 10.3% of the year's birds sightings, about 2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (7.6%) into December, and it heads toward January (9.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The birds most often recorded in Hawaii are Red-crested Cardinal, Zebra Dove and Common Myna. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which birds you are most likely to see
- Red-crested Cardinal9,343 records
- Zebra Dove8,920 records
- Common Myna7,889 records
- Pacific Golden-Plover7,258 records
- Western Cattle-Egret6,356 records
- Red Junglefowl6,049 records
Plan your bird trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bird viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see birds in Hawaii in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 15,018 of the 146,354 verified birds sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 10.3% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see birds in Hawaii?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, December and January.
What month is best for birds in Hawaii?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, December and January, based on 146,354 verified observations.
Which birds are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Red-crested Cardinal, Zebra Dove and Common Myna, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See birds in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii