Learn about the acoustics of Hawaiian forest birds

Acoustic communication is incredibly important to forest birds. It plays a major role in how they choose mates, maintain territories, find food (and each other) … and avoid being eaten!

Until recently, however, very little was known about the complexity of acoustic communication for most forest birds in Hawaii.

Patrick Hart of the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Department of Biology will visit the Lyman Museum next week to review the diversity of songs and calls of many of the native birds of Hawaii Island, using spectrograms, or “sound pictures,” that demonstrate the beauty and the variability of their vocalizations.

Hart’s presentations are part of the next Saigo series event, “Acoustic Ecology of Hawaiian Forest Birds,” which will be presented from 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and again from 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the museum.

Hart will also discuss some of the exciting findings being made by faculty and student researchers in the UH-Hilo Listening Observatory for Hawaiian Ecosystems Bioacoustics Laboratory. Come to listen and learn more about this fascinating field.

Admission is $3; free for museum members.

Because of COVID-19 safety restrictions, masks that meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines must be worn and physical distancing observed. Temperature checks will be made before entering the museum.

Seating is therefore very limited; seats must be reserved in advance by calling during business hours, and audience members must check in at the front desk prior to the presentation. Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. First called, first reserved.

For more information , call the museum at 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.

The Lyman Museum is located at 276 Haili St. in downtown Hilo.