Sharp-beaked Ground Finch

The subspecies on the islands of Darwin and Wolf has gained a level of notoriety due to its habit of feeding on blood of large birds, notably boobies, gaining it the common name Vampire Finch. Other subspecies do not exhibit this behavior, insteading feeding mainly on insects.

The Sharp-beaked Ground Finch is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Unique amongst birds, the sharp-beaked ground finch is famed for the extraordinary feeding habits that have earned it the sinister pseudonym of the ‘vampire finch’ (3) (4). Like the other ground finches (Geospiza sp.), the adult male plumage is completely black, while the female is brown and streaked (2). However, different populations of this species exhibit greater variation in appearance and ecology than any other of Darwin’s celebrated finches. More

sharp-beaked ground finch occurs at high elevations in Zanthoxylum fagara forest interspersed with open patches of low-growing vegetation (6). Biology - Owing to the availability of different food types, the sharp-beaked ground-finch’s diet varies between the high islands and the low islands (2). Although populations on the low, dry islands mainly feed on seeds (7), they are also known to augment their diet from several unusual sources. More

That’s the situation faced by the sharp-beaked ground finch on tiny Wolf Island, about 200 km (120 miles) north of the main islands of the Galápagos Archipelago. For most of the year, this wave-pounded island of steep cliffs and tens of thousands of seabirds is tinder dry. Any seeds produced in the brief periods of rain are soon eaten by the finches—leaving them, you might think, facing starvation. More

sharp-beaked ground finches on Wolf and Darwin islands More

Sharp-beaked ground finch Geospiza difficilis - Status: Endemic Island: Genovesa Location: Darwin Bay Year: 2000 More

Sharp-beaked Ground Finch (Geospiza difficilis) feeding on blood from Nazca Booby. (Sula granti) Wolf Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. SA07 POX0990 More

Stamps showing Sharp-beaked Ground Finch Geospiza difficilis Sharp-beaked Ground Finch Geospiza difficilis Bargain of the day! Sharp-beaked Ground Finch Links will open countrypage in new window - Vanuatu 23.09. More