The Laysan finch is a species of Hawaiian honeycreeper, that is endemic to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is one of four remaining finch-billed Hawaiian honeycreepers and is closely related to the smaller Nihoa finch. The Laysan finch is named for Laysan, the island to which it was endemic on its discovery. It was subsequently introduced to a few other atolls, and its historical range included some of the main islands.
Region
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Typical Environment
The species inhabits low, sandy oceanic atolls with coastal scrub and grasslands, especially thickets of naupaka (Scaevola), bunchgrasses, and beach vegetation. It forages on the ground and in low shrubs, often around dense vegetation and seabird colonies where food resources are abundant. Nests are placed in grasses or shrubs in sheltered spots away from flooding. The finch obtains most water from food and dew and tolerates arid, salty conditions typical of the outer atolls.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 20 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Laysan finch is a Hawaiian honeycreeper that originally occurred only on Laysan Island and has been translocated to a few other Northwestern Hawaiian atolls to reduce extinction risk. It is an adaptable omnivore that forages from ground to shrubs and will opportunistically take seabird eggs and carrion during lean times. The species survived severe habitat damage on Laysan in the early 1900s and remains highly vulnerable to introduced predators and storms.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often seen in small groups outside the breeding season, moving between shrub patches and open ground. Pairs form during the breeding season; cup nests are built low in grasses or shrubs and typically hold 2–3 eggs. They defend small territories around nest sites and forage widely when not nesting.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A bright, warbling series of clear notes interspersed with chips and trills. Calls include sharp ticks and soft contact notes used to keep groups together.
