About Fulica alai Peale, 1848
'Alae keʻokeʻo, with the scientific name Fulica alai, is called the Hawaiian coot in English. It is a member of the rail family Rallidae, and it is endemic to Hawaiʻi. In the Hawaiian language, the word ʻalae is a noun that means mud hen, while kea (also called keo as a synonym) is an adjective that means white. This species is similar in size to the American coot. It measures 33 to 40.6 cm (13 to 16 inches) in length and weighs approximately 700 grams, which equals 1 pound 9 ounces. It has black plumage and a noticeable white frontal shield on its head. Its natural habitats include freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, coastal saline lagoons, and man-made water storage areas. In October 1970, this bird was federally listed as an endangered species. The state of Hawaiʻi also considers this species both endemic and endangered. It faces threats from habitat loss and introduced predators, such as the small Asian mongoose. Makalawena Marsh on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi has been designated a National Natural Landmark to protect one of the species' last remaining nesting areas.
