Hawaiian Birds and Laysan Finch

The Laysan Finch is in the Hawaiian Honeycreeper family and is endemic to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is one of four remaining finch-billed Hawaiian Honeycreepers – the other three species are the Nihoa Finch, Palila, and Maui Parrotbill. All four are listed as endangered species.

When the Laysan Finch (Telespiza cantans) was discovered, it was endemic to the island of Laysan along with the Laysan Rail, Laysan ʻApapane, Laysan Duck, and Laysan Millerbird. Laysan Finch are now naturally restricted to this island in Papahanaumokuakea, along with a small population that was introduced on Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Fossil records show that it once had a greater range in Hawaiʻi, reaching as far as Oʻahu.

The fully adult male has a yellow head, breast, and back, a gray neck collar, and whitish belly. The bright yellow head and breast of the adult male Laysan Finch are striking. Females are generally drabber and more streaked, but both sexes become increasingly yellow with age. No one who has encountered the fearless Laysan Finch can remain uncharmed. Having evolved without terrestrial ground predators and with few avian predators, they readily approach other animals that they encounter, including humans.