Primitive koa finch viscosa") berries, as these were observed being eaten by other species in the genus. The primitive koa finch is believed to have gone extinct some time after Polynesians first arrived in Hawaii, however very little else is known about this species. Due to its early extinction it is only known from fossil remains. Other Hawaiian honeycreepers are known to have become extinct or very rare due to habitat loss, introduced predators and avian diseases. It is possible the extinction of the primitive koa finch also involved these factors. BirdLife International 2004. Himatione sanguinea. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Lesser koa finch Lesser koa finch The lesser koa finch ("Rhodacanthis flaviceps") is an extinct species of Hawaiian honeycreeper. The only specimens of the lesser koa finch ever caught were a family group with members of different ages and genders, ideal for study. The males were apparently golden-yellow with olive green on the breast and belly. The females were almost indistinguishable from the species' larger relative, the greater koa finch, other than the fact that the former were slightly darker in color. The juveniles were somewhat mottled on the belly, similar to the females. As its name suggests, the species as a whole