S p e c i e s   o f   t h e   M o n t h
 

Cloridops wahi
New Species


EXTINCT

Pictured above, Chloridops kona

This unique and poorly-known finch was discovered in June 1887 by Scott Wilson in the Kona district of Hawaii. It was so rare that it was apparently unknown to the native Hawaiians, who had no name for it. The Kona Grosbeak was a highly specialized bird and probably succumbed to extinction because of this. Other name(s): Chloridops; Grosbeak Finch; Kona Finch.

The new species of Chloridops is based on fossils discovered by Aki Sinoto in July ,1977 at Barbers Point and Ulupau Head, Oahu.The name wahi refers to cleave or break in pieces in reference to the function of the bill in cracking hard seeds.Olson and James state." This species is similar to Chloridops kona but with the bill smaller and shorter.

Please do what you can to save the native Hawaiian forest bird species that remain.

Aloha,
Michael Walther