PARK DISTRIBUTION: Introduced before 1870. Kilauea—very common in the drier sections of the park, especially along the Hilina Pali road and at Kipuka Puaulu. Haleakala—One of the commonest birds in the park both inside and out of the crater.
VOICE: A rapid, disjointed warbling song, usually lasting several seconds. Note: one or a series of chirps, more musical than that of the house sparrow.
This is strictly a social species living in flocks ranging in size from a few birds to 20 or more. On the Island of Hawaii the introduced house finch has adapted well to a habitat that is presently unoccupied by any native resident—the dry grassy regions of the Kau Desert and along Hilina Pali.
On the mainland house finches are reddish; the same is true for most Kilauea birds. However, at Haleakala the usual color of the male is yellow or orange. It seems likely that diet, which is known to affect pigmentation in bird plumage, rather than heredity, is the cause of this difference.
OTHER BIRDS
Accidentals
From time to time various sea and other birds passing over the island or blown inland during a storm may be observed in either park. In recent years such accidentals have included:
Red-footed booby (Sula sula): one record, Kilauea (1959). Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus): seen at Kilauea during 1961. Red phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius): one record, Kilauea (1949). Gray-backed tern (Sterna lunata): one record, Kilauea (1959).
Formerly Recorded
Several native birds that were formerly found within the park have not been recorded in recent years. They include: