Greater Koa Finch

The bird was about 7–8 in (18–20 cm) long when fully grown. It was the largest known honey-creeper, although its typical weight is unknown. The bird was sexually dimorphic; the male was brilliant scarlet-orange on head, neck, and breast, with lighter orange on its bottom, and olive brown with orange touches on back, wings, and tail; however, the female was brownish olive, and somewhat lighter below. It had a thick black bill which allowed it to break open seed pods that were found in the trees. In historical times, its range was largely confined to the Kona District of the island of Hawaiʻi, although it was observed in the Kīlauea area in 1895. It was much more widespread prior to the arrival of humans in Hawaiʻi, and related species lived on other islands. In Kona, it co-occurred with the closely related lesser koa finch (Rhodocanthis flaviceps), and the Kona grosbeak. The lesser and greater koa finches were once thought by scientists to be the minimum and maximum growth of a single species of koa finch.

The greater koa finch was a granivore, preferring the pods and seeds of koa (Acacia koa). It was also observed eating caterpillars and ʻaʻaliʻi (Dodonaea viscosa) seeds.