This is bird note. The Oahu, or Hawaiian petrol, is an endangered species once thought extinct,

or nearly so. But in recent decades, biologists have relocated some of their well-hidden nests.

Some Oahu nest in a seemingly inhospitable landscape, underneath the lava fields of Mount

Aloa, an active volcano. Areas where the lava has long since cooled have deep tubes in which the

Oahu can make their burrows. Wildlife biologist Charlotte Forbes Perry monitors the petrol's on

Mount Aloa. We look for signs of activity when we're walking around out there on the lava.

One of the main things that we're looking for is Wau Poup. When we see that on the lava,

we look around that area for more like feathers, and then we'll look for the burrow opening,

which could be a little cryptic at times, but then we also smell inside the area.

Despite their secretive burrows, the Oahu are still at risk of predators such as feral cats.

A fence completed in 2016 keeps predators away from the petrol burrows, offering them a space to thrive.

That's given Charlotte and others new hope for this species.

I think that my role in trying to take care of these birds, these Oahu is my contribution to

my cultural upbringing. We believe these birds are our ancestors or, you know, family members,

and we should do what we can to keep them as healthy as possible.

Learn more about the success story of Oahu Conservation on the Threatened Podcast.

Listen in your podcast app or on birdnote.org. I'm Ari Daniel.