Birds of Laysan Island^ p. k 
Species 
Present Status 
Maximum 
Recent 
Estimate 
Maximum Recent 
Estimate of 
Breeding 
Population Comment 
59 Laysan Honeyeater 
Formerly bred^ 
Ext inct 
0 
(300). 
( 1 , 000 )'^ 
Bill&Bryan ^1911 
Munter, 1915 
60 Laysan Finch 
Breeds 
11,882 
BSFV 7 transect est. 
Seven other 
estimates since 
1961 have been 
10, 000 
Estimates given are the largest during the period I96O-I969 except for those 
vhich -were specifically noted as probably erroneous in the Laysan Account. These 
estimates are occasionalJ:y included here -within brackets. When the maximum 
estimate for a given species was reported as a range (e.g. 3 , 000 - 4 -, OOO) the higher 
figure is utilized here. Maximum recent estimates are of the maximum number of 
flying birds on the island during any one visit unless other wise indicated. 
Maximum recent estimate of breeding populations is the maximum estimate for any 
one recent survey. For some species (e.g. Black Roddy) annual breeding populations 
may exceed maximal estimates for sny one survey. In nearly all instances here 
breeding population is equated with twice the number of nests (which can be 
interpreted as the estimate of the number of eggs and dependent young, that have 
clearly not fledged.) By conventional definition of"breeding population" (say 
for summer cycle species) both spring and fall estima-tes are thus biased low, 
the former because paired, courting and/or territorial birds are not allowed 
forj the latter because the number of birds which may be feeding fledged young 
(and hence are clearly part of the breeding population) was probably never allowed 
for* 
Footnotes: 
1 . Figure is believed excessively large. 
2 . Estimate is from Kenyon and Rice aerial estimate in 1957 * Kenyon (pers. comm.) 
ag.reed, after having seen populations on the ground, that some of the albatross 
breeding population estimates in Rice and Kenyon, I962, were likely excessive. 
3. This estimate may be excessive but is not certainly so. 
4 . Indicates an estimate next highest to one listed above. 
5. Estimate based on March I969 transect estimate. Maximum estimates since 1964 
and through March I969 have hovered rqther consistently between 400 and 500 
birds. 
6 . Estimate in Ely and Clapp species account was several hundred tbxousand, 
which is here made equal to 200 , 000 . 
g. Estimate given of 257 ? 000 eggs and unspecified number of newly hatched young 
hence use of ca, 
h. Estimate based wholly or in part on estimates of number of flying young 
present. Rumber of birds with active nests at any one time may have been 
less. 
s. Figixre is from POBSP data, when an estimate of 150,000 young made. Almost 
certainly too high. In general albatross breeding estimates more commonly 
available and more meaningful. 
t. Mr 3 x:imum POBSP estimate was 2,000 but this was almost ce3rtainl-y erroneous 
u. Maximum POBSP estimate is a rejected 250. All other estimates were 100 
or less. Estimate was made on a Leeward Survey whose primary distinction 
was prooably that of being the least competent of the entire sequence. 
Total number of species recorded from island - 
Total number of species certainly having occ. -- 
Total breeding species ever known to occur - 
Present number of breeding species 
Present (& former) # of breeding seabirds - 
Rumber of species, recently recorded - 
Rumber of waterfowl species recorded - 
Rumber of shorebird species recorded --- 
(& Sandpiper sp.) 
60 (including 3 hypothetical) 
57 
22 (including extinctions) 
19 ( " 3 extinctions) 
17 
49 . (including Sandpiper sp. 8 c 2 Hyp. ) 
9 (Excluding endemic teal) 
(including 1 h^pitptbefci, ) 
20 (including sandpiper sp, .and 
1 hypothetical, excluding rail) 
