Laysan Finch
Telespiza cantans
A finch-billed Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to the island of Laysan; does not occur in the main Hawaiian Islands. An introduced population occurs on Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Unlikely to be confused with any other species; the only other passerine bird on Laysan is the Millerbird, which lacks the Laysan Finch’s heavy bill. Males have a bright yellow head. Females are paler yellow and streaked.
Identification
The Laysan finch is a large honeycreeper with a heavy bill. Overall the male has yellow plumage with a whitish belly and a grey neck. The female is duller than the male, with brown streaking. It is almost impossible to confuse the Laysan finch with any other bird in the field as it is the only passerine species found on the few islands it lives on.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Telespiza cantans
- Authority
- Wilson, SB, 1890
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Telespiza
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The Laysan finch is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN because of its highly restricted range and vulnerability to extremes of weather, and it is considered endangered by the State of Hawaiʻi and U.S. government. It survived the devastating effects of the introduction of domestic rabbits on Laysan Island (unlike the Laysan millerbird, honeycreeper and rail) by taking carrion and seabird eggs. However, this caused their population to shrink to fewer than 100 individuals and the bottleneck caused a reduction in genetic diversity that may have put the species at increased risk of extinction. The birds also suffered a loss of heterozygosity following founding events on other islands which may have caused an accumulation of deleterious recessive alleles in the populations.<p>Laysan is now part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The population is considered stable with the biggest threat being uncontrollable climate change.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Crimson-hooded Myzomela
Myzomela kuehni
A small gray honeyeater with a downcurved bill, a white belly, and a contrasting red head and rump. Males show more red on head than females; red extends to breast on male birds from Wetar, confined to throat in Alor. These forms may represent two species. On Wetar, found in lowland forest, edge, and gardens; on Alor, inhabits mountain forest. Singles, pairs, or groups usually found high in the trees. Unmistakable in its limited range in the Lesser Sundas. Song is a thin, high-pitched “titititititit.” Also gives “tew” notes and twittering sounds.
Black-tailed Whistler
Pachycephala melanura
Chunky, rounded songbird with heavy thick bill. Found across a wide range of habitats across its range: largely mangroves in Australia, but also inhabits freshwater swamps in New Guinea and forests and forest edge on smaller islands. Male has an olive-yellow back, black head, white chin, bright yellow underparts, and thick yellow hindcollar. Female plain gray above, paler gray below, with yellow undertail and in some subspecies a yellow belly. Overlaps very marginally with the very similar Golden Whistler in eastern Queensland, but note mangrove habitat as well as slightly longer bill and darker uppertail; also note significant yellow on underparts in female and different song. Vocalizations include variations on whistled songs, sometimes with a whip-like ending.
White-rimmed Brushfinch
Atlapetes leucopis
A rare and striking finch-like bird restricted to cloud forest of the Andes of Ecuador and southern Colombia. It is black with an olive breast and belly and a chestnut crown; the bold, white “spectacles” set it apart from any other bird in range. Sexes look alike. Typically encountered alone or in pairs; stays low, and usually remains in dense cover. Often first detected by its song, which consists of a series of sweet whistles and chirps; it sings faster and mixes in rapid trills when agitated.
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