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Hawaii’s Exotic Finch

Watching the movements of our little winged residents as they flitter about the landscape is one of the finest pleasures of living in Hawaii.  One such special creature that you can’t help but take notice of is the handsome Java sparrow.  You see large flocks of these birds assemble in trees, on lawns, or in backyards scavenging for food.  They are primarily abundant along the open grassy fields surrounding the Kohala Coast’s Waikoloa and Mauna Lani resorts.   

At just 5 to 6 inches, this bird’s plump reddish bill and white cheek patches, grey back and black head are easily identifyable.   Large groups of them gather in trees and make a raucous with their collective “chip” sound.  They fly in grasslands, parks or populated areas and sometimes hop along the ground with other finches picking for seeds and insects.  Java sparrows nest in trees or in buildings where they sometimes quarrel with each other.  They can be aggressive at feeders and often crowd out other bird species.  In the 1970s the Java sparrow was officially banned from the United States due to its reputation as a threat to rice farmers.

Sadly, despite its widespread introduction within the Hawaiian Islands and other countries, this species faces a serious risk of extinction in its native home range in Indonesia.  That’s because the hardy grain-loving “pest,” also known as the Java rice finch, is a continuous target of destruction by farmers.  It is also one of the most beloved cagebirds who for centuries has spawned an industry of vigorous hunters and bird traders.  These factors, combined with the loss of selected habitats, have severely reduced the Java sparrow’s numbers on a global scale.

We can help to nurture the Java sparrow to secure its permanent status here and on the South Pacific Islands as well as China, Japan, Borneo, parts of Africa, and Florida.  Contrary to its name, this exotic “sparrow” is actually a member of the estrilididae family of finches.  As such, it is commonly seen at bird feeders where it finds its primary source of sustenance, seeds.  With a fresh supply of shallow water alongside some healthy bird grub, this finch is in heaven.

The Java sparrow is evaluated as Vulnerable by BirdLife International on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, one step short of extinction.  So far, we are blessed on the Hawaiian Islands with the increasing presence of this adorable bird with the funny face and tuxedo-like markings.  It deserves our respect and diligent protection.