Primitive Koa-finch
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| Primitive Koa-Finch | ||||||||||||||
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| Rhodacanthis litotes James & Olson, 2005 |
The Primitive Koa Finch (Rhodacanthis litotes) is a species of Hawaiian finch of the Drepanididae family. It is endemic to Hawaiʻi. Of the four species in the genus Telespiza, it and the Scissor-billed Koa-finch became extinct before the arriveal of the first Europeans to Hawaii in 1778. It is known as the ancestor of all Koa Finches[citation needed].
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[edit] Description
An adult Primitive Koa-Finch was slender and had a total length of about eight inches[citation needed]. There was probably a small distinct gender difference between the two[citation needed]. Based on fossils, it is known that the adult Primitive Koa Finch had a slightly curved, thick bill.
[edit] Distribution
They were commonly found in the wet, mesic forests of Ohia lehua tree blossoms[citation needed]. A large group of fossils were found in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The nest of the bird were probably found in the crown of the ‘ōhi‘a lehua trees, but evidence of nests has also been found in lava tubes on the Island of Hawaii[citation needed].
[edit] Diet
The Primitive Koa Finch generally fed on nectar from flowers; preferably from the ‘ōhi‘a lehua tree[citation needed]. The diet of a grown finch probably also included a variety of insects like grasshoppers, caterpillars and bugs of all sorts[citation needed].
[edit] Status
Due to its early extinction, very little is known about this species. It is only known from fossil remains. Other Hawaiian honeycreepers are known to have become extinct or very rare due to habitat loss, introduced predators and avian diseases. It is possible the extinction of the Primitive Koa Finch also involved these factors.
[edit] Source
BirdLife International 2004. Himatione sanguinea. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 10 July 2007.
