# 2026-14550: Hawaiian Stilt Downgraded From Endangered to Just Threatened 2026-14550, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Hawaiian Stilt (Kukuluae'o or Ae'o) From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule, is a Federal Register rule from Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service published 2026-07-20, effective 2026-08-19 (as of 2026-07-27). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14550 - As of: 2026-07-27 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-14550 - Title: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Hawaiian Stilt (Kukuluae'o or Ae'o) From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule - Type: Rule - Agencies: Interior Department; Fish and Wildlife Service - Citation: 91 FR 45480 - Published: 2026-07-20 - Effective: 2026-08-19 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: 1018-BE02 - Last updated: 2026-07-27 ## In one line Hawaiian Stilt Downgraded From Endangered to Just Threatened ## 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. ## Abstract We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reclassifying the Hawaiian stilt (kukuluae[revaps]o or ae[revaps]o, Himantopus mexicanus knudseni; a subspecies of the black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)) from endangered to threatened (downlist) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This action is based on our evaluation of the best scientific and commercial data available, which indicates that the subspecies' status has improved such that it is not in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but that it is still likely to become so within the foreseeable future. We also finalize protective regulations under the authority of section 4(d) of the Act that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the Hawaiian stilt. We recognize the Hawaiian names kukuluae[revaps]o and ae[revaps]o as additional common names. ## Effects PRIA read - Hawaiian Stilt Reclassified to Threatened: mixed, low. 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… - Permit Exceptions for Designated Officials: benefit, low. 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, injur… - Public May Transport Injured Birds Without Permit: benefit, low. 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… - State License Still Required in Hawaii: cost, low. 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 o… - 4(d) Rule Eases Predator Control and Habitat Work: benefit, medium. 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 faci… - Hawaiian Names Officially Recognized: benefit, low. 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. ## Related documents - [2026-14629](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14629): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat, 2026-07-21 - [2026-14633](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14633): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 2026-07-21 - [2026-14299](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14299): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment…, 2026-07-16 - [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14 - [2026-12955](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12955): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26 - [2026-12951](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12951): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26 ## Sources - [2026-14550 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/20/2026-14550/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-reclassification-of-the-hawaiian-stilt-kukuluaeo-or) - [2026-14550 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-20/pdf/2026-14550.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-14546, Special Local Regulations; Marine Events Within the USCG East District-Atlantic…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14546) - [Next: 2026-14551, Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; Inseason Action for the 2026 Area…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14551) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14550 (as of 2026-07-27).