Rhodacanthis flaviceps
The Lesser Koa Finch (Rhodacanthis flaviceps) was a striking, relatively small Hawaiian honeycreeper, tragically lost to extinction at the close of the 19th century. Measuring about 16 cm (6.3 inches) in length, this passerine was characterized by its brilliant golden-yellow head and throat, which contrasted sharply with an olive-green body, darkening to dusky olive on the wings and tail, and lightening to a yellowish-green on the belly. Its stout, conical bill was a distinctive field mark, s...
Historically, the Lesser Koa Finch inhabited the dense, high-elevation mesic and wet forests, primarily dominating Koa (Acacia koa) woodlands, on the island of Hawaiʻi, between approximately 1,000 and 1,700 meters (3,300–5,600 feet) above sea level.
The Lesser Koa Finch was an extreme dietary specialist, feeding almost exclusively on the seeds of the native Koa tree (Acacia koa), which it skillfully extracted from their tough pods, likely supplementing this with some insects or other plant matter.
Records of the Lesser Koa Finch's behavior are sparse due to its early extinction. It was primarily observed foraging, demonstrating a specialized technique for extracting seeds from the tough pods of the Koa tree (Acacia koa), using its powerful, conical bill to pry them open. This strong dietar...
The Lesser Koa Finch was historically endemic to the island of Hawaiʻi, specifically known from the Kona and Kaʻū districts. Its range was highly restricted to elevations between approximately 1,000 and 1,700 meters (3,300–5,600 feet), coinciding with the distribution of dense Koa (Acacia koa) fo...
Extinct
- The Lesser Koa Finch was so specialized in its diet that it was colloquially known as a 'Koa-seed specialist'. - Its powerful, conical beak was perfectly adapted to crack open the tough pods of the `Acacia koa` tree, an adaptation crucial for its survival. - Only a few specimens of the Lesser K...