While the endemic species have acquired full residence on the islands,
other birds live here for only part of the year, usually returning to
the north during summer to breed. In the park the best known of these
migrants is the American golden plover which spends almost 10 months of
the year in Hawaii and only 2 months on its travels to the Aleutian
Islands.
Migration patterns for certain of the sea birds are virtually unknown.
Some, like the white-tailed tropic-bird, may remain near the islands
throughout the year, while others, such as the dark-rumped petrel,
migrate inland only during their breeding season.