Darwins Finches

ThefinchesontheGalápagosIslandsweredifferentfromthoseinEcuador.Theirbeaksweresuitedforhowtheygottheirfoodoneachisland.Beakshape,Darwinrealized,wasanadaptationthathelpedthefinches survive.

Forexample:

Greenwarbler‑fincheshavethin,sharpbeaks.Theyusethemtospear insects.

1

Mediumgroundfincheshaveshort,stubbybeaks.Theyusethemtoeatseedsonthe ground.

2

Commoncactusfincheshavebroad,curvedbeaks.Theyusethemtonibbleon plants.

3

medium tree finch
(Camarhynchus pauper)

largetree finch
(Camarhynchus psittacula)

mangrove finch
(Camarhynchus heliobates)

woodpecker finch
(Camarhynchus pallidus)

green warbler‑finch
(Certhidea olivacea)

Cocos finch
(Pinaroloxias inornata)

smallground finch
(Geospiza fuliginosa)

mediumground finch
(Geospiza fortis)

largeground finch
(Geospiza magnirostris)

sharp‑beakedgroundfinch
(Geospiza difficilis)

commoncactus finch
(Geospiza scandens)

Españolacactus finch
(Geospiza conirostris)

vegetarian finch
(Platyspiza crassirostris)

smalltree finch
(Camarhynchus parvulus)

mainly insects
buds and fruits
cactus seeds and parts
mainly seeds
ancestral seed eating ground finch