Nihoa Finch

Scientific name: Telespyza ultima

USFWS Status: Endangered.

Distribution: Nihoa Island

Sound file: Song:

Map: --






The Nihoa Finch occurs only on the island of Nihoa. It is found open but vegetated habitat and prefers to feed on the eggs of seabirds, insects, seeds, and flower buds.

Historical records on the Nihoa Finch are few, but an estimated 3,200 birds were counted in a 1985 survey. Between 900 and 6,600 birds have been counted in any one year during the last 30 years of observations. Forty-two finches were transplanted to French Frigate Shoals in 1967 in an effort to assist in the survival of a wild population, but the project was unsuccessful.

Photo by Craig Rowland/USFWS


This page last revised 11 August 2001 by nle


Copyright information: Sound file copyright 1995 Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Used with permission.