'Alae'Ula Hawaiian Moorhen Reproduction

Ala'e 'Ula breed from April through October. They prefer to nest on solid ground on the edge of marsh water. The birds pile marsh plants to form a shallow nest. When there are small islands in the water, the Ala'e 'Ula will nest there.

The female lays between six and thirteen eggs. The eggs are light creamy brown, and speckled with small dark flecks of color. The chicks hatch after three weeks. Although the chicks can leave the nest and swim soon after hatching, they stay close to their mother.

For a few weeks after hatching, the Ala'e 'Ula will seek comfort under their mothers wings. The chicks are black with a red frontal plate and beak.