Justification This species is listed as Critically Endangered because it has an extremely small range, restricted to one island, where the population exhibits marked population fluctuations, probably owing to climatic events. The accidental introduction of mammalian predators, non-native pest plants, insects or an avian disease, or a stochastic event such as a hurricane could rapidly bring about its extinction.

Family/Sub-family Fringillidae

Species name author Bryan, 1917

Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Synonyms Telespyza ultima Collar and Andrew (1988)

Identification 17 cm. Medium-sized finch. Male has yellow head and breast, blue-grey back with tinge of yellow in centre, dark wings and tail with yellow-edged feathers, yellowish-white underparts. Female and juvenile yellow heavily streaked with dark brown on back, head, and breast. Voice Song lively and complex, somewhat canary-like. Call a loud chirp.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,100 - 3,550

fluctuating

2 km²

Yes

Range & population Telespiza ultima once occurred at least on the island of Molokai in the Main Hawaiian Islands, but was extirpated in prehistory probably by a combination of predation by introduced mammals and habitat loss⁵. Today, this species is restricted to the steep, rocky island of Nihoa in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (USA)^2,4. Numbers fluctuate⁵, although some variation may be due to differences in survey methods and time of year. Numbers on Nihoa have ranged from 6,686 in 1968 to 946 in 1987⁵. The most recent population estimate based on surveys in 2007 is 2,807 (± 744, 95% CI) individuals.

Ecology: It occurs in low shrubs and grasses covering some two-thirds (0.43 km²) of the island⁴. It feeds on seeds, invertebrates other plant parts and eggs^2,6. It nests in cavities in cliffs, rock crevices or in piles of loose rock^2,6.

Threats It is thought that the presence of the introduced grasshopper Schistocerca nitens on Nihoa, and its periodic irruptions which lead to the virtual defoliation of the island, may be a significant threat to the species. Other potential threats include the introduction of detrimental non-native species and diseases and stochastic events^1,2,4,5, such as droughts, storms and hurricanes. Fire is a past and potential threat^3,4.

Conservation measures underway Nihoa is part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Papahânaumokuâkea Marine National Monument, and legal access is controlled by a permit system that is restricted largely to biologists, researchers and cultural practitioners. Strict protocols are followed to ensure that permitted visitors do not accidentally introduce new species via seeds, eggs or insects travelling on clothes and equipment. Visiting scientists make regular efforts to control one of the three species of alien plant on Nihoa by hand weeding⁴. An attempted introduction to French Frigate Shoals in 1967 failed². A process to evaluate and prioritise potential translocation sites throughout the archipelago for this species (and the other two Northwestern Hawaiian Island passerines) is currently underway. Disease susceptibility may preclude reintroduction of the Nihoa Finch to the Main Hawaiian Islands, and translocation efforts may focus on the Northwestern Islands.

Conservation measures proposed Continue monitoring. Ensure strict protocols prevent further accidental introductions of alien species. Introduce a population to Kure atoll and (following removal of mice and mosquitos) to Midway atoll. Restore another island for future translocation.

References 1. H. Baker and P. Baker in litt. (1999). 2. Berger (1972). 3. J. Lepson in litt. (1999). 4. Morin et al. (1997). 5. James and Olson (1991). 6. Morin and Conant (2002).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Audubon WatchList

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), Tom Stuart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Helen C. Baker (US Fish & Wildlife Service), Paul E Baker (US Fish & Wildlife Service), Rick Camp (US Geological Survey), Sheila Conant (University of Hawai`i), Scott Fretz (Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife), Jaan Lepson, Marie Morin (US Fish & Wildlife Service), Eric VanderWerf (Pacific Rim Conservation)

IUCN Red List evaluators A. Birchenough, Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Telespiza ultima. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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