An attempt to protect the species against extinction was made by starting a colony on French Frigate Shoals, another leeward island.

This would ensure its continued existence in case the Nihoa population was wiped out.

Nihoa is part of a group of islands that make up the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge which provides protected land for the Nihoa finch to roam on.

Nihoa finches build their nests in small spaces in rocky cliffs about 100 to 800 feet above the sea level.

The breeding season begins in February and might go on till early July, ending with a clutch of usually three eggs.