Common Cactus-Finch
Geospiza scandens
This cactus-loving Galápagos finch has an especially distinctive bill, which is long, deep at the base, and often appears droopy. Bill is black on breeding male and dull orange on female and nonbreeding male. Male’s plumage is sooty-black; female is dark brown with paler underparts that are blotched with gray. Most prevalent in arid coastal areas, where it is often seen feeding on prickly pear flowers. Found on most islands, but absent from Española, Genovesa, Santiago, and Fernandina.
Taxonomy
The common cactus finch is one of nine species in the genus Geospiza, part of a group of closely related species known as Darwin's finches. There are four recognized subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Geospiza scandens
- Authority
- (Gould, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Geospiza
Range and habitat
Found in the arid zone of many of the islands in the Galápagos, the common cactus finch is seldom far from areas of Opuntia cactus.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tanzanian Illadopsis
Illadopsis distans
A chunky, mid-sized, remarkably drab babbler with a white throat and grayish breast. Found in the understory of moist forest at low and middle elevations, usually in small groups. Shy and skulking; rarely seen unless searched for. Similar to African Hill Babbler, but distinguished by the paler brown-and-white rather than solidly gray head. Most often detected by voice. The male gives two sweet whistles in a rising pattern: “troo-tyeah”, usually accompanied by quiet chittering calls from other group members.
Buff-breasted Wren
Cantorchilus leucotis
A rather nondescript medium-sized wren found from eastern Panama throughout much of lowland South America. Warm medium-brown upperparts with dark barring on wings and tail. Pale whitish cheek and throat that fades into richer buffy belly. Also note obvious white eyebrow. Pairs are found in the lower levels of lowland forest, secondary woodland, and riparian areas. Most easily detected by rich song, given as a duet. Usually combines high-pitched notes with fast lower warbles.
Whistler's Warbler
Phylloscopus whistleri
One of a confusingly similar complex of species, this medium-sized warbler has a bright yellow eye-ring, a pale and indistinct wingbar, and a grayish crown bordered by two long black stripes. The weakness and greenish cast of the gray crown separates this species from various other “golden-spectacled”-type warblers, such as Gray-crowned. Golden-spectacled Warbler is very similar; in Whistler’s, look out for an unbroken eye-ring, a shorter bill, a longer tail, and slightly duller green upperparts. Whistler’s breeds in high-altitude temperate broadleaf forest from around 2000 meters up to the treeline; averages higher in altitudinal breeding preferences than Golden-spectacled Warbler. Like other “golden-spectacled”-type warblers, Whistler’s typically forages at lower and middle levels of forest, often mixing with other species and making flycatching sallies. Song consists of a 2- or 3-noted whistled phrase repeated 2-3 times without pause, lacking the trills of Golden-spectacled Warbler.
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