Finches are a diverse group of small to medium-sized birds that are known for their brightly colored plumage, unique songs, and active behavior. According to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, there are currently over 20 species of finches found in Hawaii.
Some of the most common finches found in Hawaii include the Zebra Finch, Society Finch, and the Common Waxbill. These birds were brought over by early settlers and have since established stable populations on the islands.
10 Finches in Hawaii
In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the fascinating world of finches in Hawaii, including their unique characteristics, behaviors, and the impact they have on the island’s ecosystems.
1. ‘I’iwi
Scientific name: Vestiaria coccinea
The ‘I’iwi is a species of Hawaiian honeycreeper that is native to the islands of Hawaii. It is a brightly colored bird, with a scarlet plumage, black wings and tail, and a curved bill. Like many other Hawaiian bird species, the ‘I’iwi population has been in decline due to habitat loss, disease, and predation by introduced mammals.
They typically breeds from April to September, with peak breeding activity occurring in May and June. The ‘I’iwi is found in a variety of forested habitats, including native ohia-lehua forests, koa forests, and bogs. It feeds primarily on nectar from native forest flowers , but also feeds on insects and fruit.
2. Java Sparrow
Scientific name: Lonchura oryzivora
The Java Sparrow are small, sparrow-sized birds with a distinctive, glossy black head and breast also known as the Java Finch. They are native to Java and Bali in Indonesia and was introduced to Hawaii in the late 1800s as a cage bird and has since established a small population on the islands. They are known to breed year-round, with peak breeding activity during the spring and summer months.
Java Sparrows are primarily seed-eaters, but they also consume small amounts of fruits and insects. They are found in a variety of habitats, including urban areas, agricultural lands, and natural areas.
3. Zebra Finch
Scientific name: Taeniopygia guttata
The Zebra Finch is a small, active and colorful bird known for its striking black and white striped head and a bright orange bill. It is native to Australia and was introduced to Hawaii in the early 20th century for the cage bird trade. They kept mostly as pets rather than being released in the wild.
They breed year-round, with peak breeding activity during the spring and summer months. In captivity, Zebra Finches are typically fed a diet of commercial finch seed mix, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. They typically inhabit open woodlands, grasslands, and scrublands.
4. Red-billed Leiothrix
Scientific name: Leiothrix lutea
The Red-billed Leiothrix is a small colorful songbird with a bright red bill, black and white striped head, and a yellow-green body. It is native to Southeast Asia and China and it has been introduced to Hawaii as an aviary bird, and it is not found in the wild. They are known to breed year-round, with peak breeding activity during the spring and summer months.
In their native range, Red-billed Leiothrix are found in a variety of habitats, including forested areas, scrublands, and gardens. They are known to be opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of fruits, seeds, and insects.
5. Society Finch
Scientific name: Lonchura domestica
The Society Finch is brightly colored birds with a white ring around the eyes. It is also known as the Bengalese finch, a small domesticated bird that is a hybrid of two other finch species, the Bengalese finch and the Silver Canary. Society Finch is not native in Hawaii and has been introduced in the island as a cage bird.
Society finches are known for their cooperative breeding behavior, where several females may help with incubation and feeding of the young, and even non-breeding individuals may help feed the young of their relatives. They are often kept as pets and can be found in aviary settings or private homes in Hawaii and not found in wild habitats in Hawaii. They are primarily seed-eaters, but they also consume small amounts of fruits and vegetables.
6. House Finch
Scientific name: Haemorhous mexicanus
The House Finch is a non-native species of finch that was first introduced to Hawaii in the 1930s. These birds are native to North America and were brought to Hawaii as cage birds. They were first released in the wild on the island of Oahu and have since spread to all of the main islands.
House Finches typically breed from spring to fall, with peak breeding activity occurring in the late spring and early summer. They are small, seed-eating birds and are also known to eat fruits and insects. House finches are typically found in open woodlands, suburban areas, and gardens.
7. Laysan finch
Scientific name: Telespiza cantans
The Laysan Finch is a small bird that is native to Laysan Island, a small island located about 1,200 miles northwest of Hawaii. The Laysan Finch is one of the most endangered birds in the world, with a population that has been reduced to fewer than 1,000 individuals. They form monogamous pairs and breeds during the spring and summer months.
The Laysan Finch’s diet consists primarily of seeds, fruit, and insects. They forage on the ground and in bushes for food, and they also eat nectar from native plants. Their natural habitat is the low-lying shrubland and grassland that covers much of Laysan Island.
8. Palila
Scientific name: Loxioides bailleui
The Palila is a small finch with a distinctive appearance that can found only on the island of Hawaii, where it is restricted to subalpine dry forests on the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. It is a critically endangered species of finch with an estimated population of around 1,200 individuals. They are monogamous species and typically breeds from late March to early June.
The Palila is found exclusively in the dry forest habitat of the upper slopes of Mauna Kea, an active volcano on the island of Hawaii. These birds are dependent on the mamane tree (Sophora chrysophylla) for food, as they feed primarily on the seeds and seedpods of the tree.
9. African Silverbill
Scientific name: Lonchura cantans
The African Silverbill, also known as the African Silverbill Finch or Estrilda astrild, is a small passerine bird known for its silver-colored bill. It is native to Africa and the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to Hawaii in the early 20th century as a cage bird and has since established populations in urban and agricultural areas. They are known to breed year-round in Hawaii, with peaks in activity during the spring and summer.
The African Silverbill is a granivorous bird and feeds mainly on small seeds, particularly those of grasses, shrubs and trees. They are also known to consume fruits, insects, and other small invertebrates. They are known to thrive in a wide variety of environments, including urban areas, agricultural lands, and natural habitats such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
10. Nihoa finch
Scientific name: Telespiza ultima
The Nihoa finch is a species of finch also known as the Nihoa Millerbird that is found exclusively on Nihoa island, an uninhabited island located in the Hawaiian island chain. They are a small bird with gray back, white underparts, and a black head with a white patch on the back of the head. The Nihoa finch is a ground-nesting bird that breeds during the months of April to August.
Nihoa Finches can be found in the lowland and coastal shrubland, which is composed of a variety of native plants such as Pritchardia remota, Scaevola taccada and Portulaca lutea. They are insectivorous bird and feeds mainly on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
