- Giant Nukupu‘u
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Giant Nukupu‘u Conservation status ExtinctScientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Drepanididae Genus: Hemignathus Species: H. vorpalis Binomial name Hemignathus vorpalis
James & Olson, 2003The Giant Nukupu‘u (Hemignathus vorpalis), sometimes fancifully (and incorrectly) referred to as "Oval-billed Nukupuʻu"[verification needed], is an extinct species of finch in the Fringillidae family, which only is known from fossil remains. It was endemic to Hawai'i. Its extinction is believed to have occurred within the last 3000 years, but exact timing and reasons remain unclear. It was larger and with a different bill morphology than the remaining members of the genus Hemignathus.
References
- James, Helen F., & Olson, Storrs L. (2003). A giant new species of nukupuu (Fringillidae: Drepanidini: Hemignathus) from the island of Hawaii. The Auk. 120(4): 970-981.
Categories:- Endemic fauna of Hawaii
- Extinct Hawaiian animals
- Fringillidae
- Holocene extinctions
- Hemignathus
- Animals described in 2003
- Fringillidae stubs
- Prehistoric bird stubs
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