Nihoa Finch
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Nihoa Finch |
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Telespiza ultima (Bryan, 1917) |
The Nihoa Finch (Telespiza ultima) is one of the two endemic bird species of the tiny Hawaiian island Nihoa, the other being the Nihoa Millerbird. When it was classified in 1917, scientists thought that it would be the last endemic species named. This was later found untrue. The island's population is 1000-3000 birds. An attempt to protect the species against extiction was made by starting a colony of French Frigate Shoals, another leeward island. This would ensure its continued existence in the event that the Nihoa population was wiped out. This attempt, however, failed. The Nihoa Finch looks much like the Laysan Finch but is smaller, and less dark.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Telespiza ultima. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is critically endangered