Hawaiian Stilt Downgraded From Endangered to Just Threatened
Published Date: 7/20/2026
Rule
Summary
Good news! The Hawaiian stilt, also called kukuluaeʻo or aeʻo, is doing better and is now officially 'threatened' instead of 'endangered.' This change means the bird still needs protection, but it’s not as close to disappearing. The new rules to help keep it safe start on August 19, 2026, and will guide how people and groups work to protect this cool Hawaiian bird.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
4(d) Rule Eases Predator Control and Habitat Work
The 4(d) rule is intended to give conservation partners more flexibility to implement predator control and habitat management aimed at benefiting the Hawaiian stilt, which the Service says will help ongoing conservation and recovery efforts. The Service says the 4(d) exceptions are designed to facilitate management actions that benefit the subspecies.
Hawaiian Stilt Reclassified to Threatened
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reclassifying the Hawaiian stilt from endangered to threatened, effective August 19, 2026. The bird will still receive protections under the Endangered Species Act, but it is no longer considered in danger of extinction and will now be managed under a section 4(d) rule.
Permit Exceptions for Designated Officials
Designated employees or agents of the Service, other Federal land management agencies, the National Marine Fisheries Service, State conservation agencies, or federally recognized Tribes may, when acting in the course of their official duties, take Hawaiian stilts without a permit to aid sick, injured, or orphaned birds, dispose of dead birds, or salvage specimens for science. The rule also allows designated employees operating conservation programs under an approved cooperative agreement to take Hawaiian stilts in the course of official duties.
Public May Transport Injured Birds Without Permit
Any person who finds a sick, injured, or orphaned endangered migratory bird may, without a permit, take and possess the bird to immediately transport it to a permitted rehabilitator under 50 CFR 17.21(c)(7). This existing permission is cited in the final rule and was the reason the Service removed a proposed separate take exception for state and local law enforcement.
State License Still Required in Hawaii
The final 4(d) rule addresses only Federal Endangered Species Act requirements and does not change Hawaii law. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) section 195D-4, activities that would otherwise be prohibited still require a temporary license from the State for scientific or conservation purposes or if incidental to a lawful activity, so State authorization will continue to be required in Hawaii.
Hawaiian Names Officially Recognized
The Service formally recognizes the Hawaiian names kukuluaeʻo and aeʻo as additional official common names for the Hawaiian stilt on the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Both names will be entered as the official Hawaiian names upon finalization of the rule.
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