Hawaiian finch
Hawaiian finches, also known as Hawaiian honeycreepers, belong to the subfamily Drepanidinae within the finch family Fringillidae. These birds are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, with a diverse group of 22 species across 11 genera, each adapted to specific habitats such as shrublands and mountain rainforests. Hawaiian finches are recognized for their variable bill types, which enable them to thrive on a diet primarily consisting of insects and nectar, along with fruits and snails.
Typically measuring between four to eight inches in length, their plumage can range from green and yellow to brown, black, red, and orange, with males often displaying brighter colors. Their breeding season spans from February through July, during which females construct cup-like nests in concealed locations and lay two eggs. The eggs are white with unique scribbled patterns and require about two weeks of incubation.
Despite their unique characteristics, Hawaiian finches face significant threats due to habitat destruction, competition from introduced species, and diseases, leading to the extinction of some species. Conservation efforts continue to be essential for the survival of the remaining populations. These birds are known for their melodic calls and songs, contributing to the rich avian soundscape of their native islands.
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Hawaiian finch
Hawaiian finches form the subfamily Drepanidinae, which is a group within the general family of finches. They receive their name from the fact that they live only on the Hawaiian Islands. The various species have different bills and diets and make their homes in a number of places. They call and sing to each other with various musical trills, squeaky phrases, and whistling notes. They are also called Hawaiian honeycreepers.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
Hawaiian finches form the subfamily Drepanidinae, a distinct group of 22 species amongst 11 genera within the general family of finches. These species are found only on the Hawaiian Islands. They live in shrublands and mountain rain forests, as well as islets, or small islands, of rock or coral are all home to these birds.
Hawaiian finches are four to eight inches (10 to 20 centimeters) long and weigh 1/2 to 1 1/2 ounces (10 to 45 grams). The plumage, or feathering, of both males and females may be green, yellow, brown, black, red, or orange. Males in some species are more brightly colored than the females.
Hawaiian finches may have a number of different bill types for eating various foods. Unlike their cousins in the other two finch subfamilies, which only eat seeds, Hawaiian finches mainly eat insects and nectar. In addition to their main diet of insects and nectar, they also eat snails, berries, fruit, seedpods, and the eggs of seabirds. Some people call the birds honeycreepers because they are able to eat nectar with their long bills and tube-like or brush-tipped tongues.
Breeding begins in February and continues into April and July. The nest types of only half of the species are known since the other species are rare and live in isolated places, away from the other birds where it is difficult to travel and to study the birds. Females of the other known species build their nests without the males' help and often hide them in tree holes or in dense leaf clusters. Other nest sites are rock cavities or in clumps of grass on island sand. Each cup-like nest of twigs has a soft lining of fine fibers. Into these nests the females lay their two eggs. Each egg is white with gray or reddish-brown scribbles on its shell. The females incubate the eggs for two weeks, sitting on them to keep them warm and protect them. The young hatch from their shells and remain in the nest for two to three weeks while they grow stronger and larger. This is called the nestling period, and they are called nestlings. The nestlings become fledglings when they fledge, or are ready to fly for the first time.
These birds call and sing to each other with various musical trills, squeaky phrases, and whistling notes.
Hawaiian finches may live between five and 12 years. They face many threats from habitat destruction by farmers to competition and predation by domestic animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Other introduced predators and diseases also endanger a number of these birds, while some are already extinct. Conservation efforts are underway to save those which remain.
Species in this subfamily include but are not limited to:
Akiapola'au Hemignathus munroi
Apapane Himatione sanguinea
Black mamo Drepanis funerea
I'iwi Vestiaria coccinea
Kaua'i 'akialoa Hemignathus procerus
Kaua'i creeper Oreomystis bairdi
Laysan finch Telespyza cantans
Maui parrotbill Pseudonestor xanthrophrys
Moloka'i creeper Paroreomyza flammea
Nihoa finch Telespyza ultima
O'u Psittirostra psittacea
Po'o-uli Melamprosops phaeosoma
Bibliography
Silver, Tristan. “The 16 Types of Finches in Hawaii and Where to Find Them.” Avibirds.com, 23 Jan. 2023, avibirds.com/finches-in-hawaii. Accessed 8 Apr. 2024.