Common (Hawaiian) Moorhens recorded per party hr on the Kapa'a Christmas

Count (see Count Page) in 1971-1991. This species has showed similar fluctuations

in populations on the Lihue and Waipi'o Christmas Counts, related to rainfall levels

in the state. Wetter periods (such as 1976-1984 and 1991-1996) are more favorable

for moorhens than drought periods (see also Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Stilt).

Species account

Graphs of Christmas Count data developed as part of The Birds of the Hawaiian

Islands: Occurrence, History, Distribution, and Status by Robert L. Pyle and Peter Pyle http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/birds/rlp-monograph/2009/