Medium Tree-Finch
Camarhynchus pauper
A critically endangered Galápagos finch found only on the island of Floreana. Bill is moderately curved on both upper and lower edges, and slightly longer than it is deep. Male has a black hood, brownish-olive upperparts, and a pale belly. Female is tan with whitish underparts. Both sexes have faint streaking on the breast. Bill is black on breeding male and orange on female and non-breeding male. Large Tree-Finch has larger and more bulbous bill. Small Tree-Finch has slightly smaller bill and body. Identification is much easier when more than one species is present to allow direct comparison. Medium Tree-Finch inhabits forest mainly in the highlands but is occasionally seen closer to the coast, where it may be only a seasonal visitor.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Camarhynchus pauper
- Authority
- Ridgway, 1890
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Camarhynchus
Range and habitat
This species is only found on Floreana Island at elevations above 250 meters in moist highland forest habitats. Prime breeding habitat is dominated by Scalesia pedunculata trees.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The diurnal Galapagos short-eared owl is its only remaining natural predator. Medium tree finches generally lay two to three eggs. Eggs are incubated for approximately 12 days, and nestlings are fed by both parents at the nest for approximately 14 days before becoming fledglings.<p>The range of beak sizes of the medium tree finch on Floreana and the large tree finch, Camarhynchus psittacula, on Isabela is roughly the same.[citation needed] This reflects the fact that the two species feed on the same type and size of insect. The beak of the medium tree finch is intermediate in size between the small tree finch and large tree finch. All three species are found in the same habitat country and area.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Cecropis semirufa
This large swallow has a brick-red rump and underparts and dark blue upperparts. It is told from other swallows by the metallic-blue patches on the side of the head that cover the ears and eyes. It is resident near the equator and is a wet season breeding visitor in the north and south of its range. The Rufous-chested Swallow flies strongly, with frequent swoops and changes of course, over sparse woodland, grassland, wetland edges, and other open habitats. In flight it differs from similar swallows by the color of the forward part of the underwing: buffy in Rufous-chested Swallow and white in Mosque Swallow, which also has a pale throat.
Santa Marta Antpitta
Grallaria bangsi
Plump, terrestrial bird found only in the Santa Marta Mountains of Colombia. Like other antpittas, it is short-tailed and long-legged. Orange throat and streaked underparts help separate it from other ground birds. It is shy and normally very hard to see, but sometimes visits feeding stations in and around El Dorado Nature Reserve. Frequently gives two clear, emphatic whistles; the second note is slightly higher in pitch.
Madagascar Ibis
Lophotibis cristata
A rather fantastical forest-dwelling ibis with a colorful face, white wing, and rich brown body. Endemic to Madagascar, where it is most frequently encountered in eastern rainforest, though it also occurs locally in western deciduous forest. Roosts and nests in trees, and feeds on the forest floor. Extremely shy, and unless spooked will rapidly flee from disturbance on foot. Very loud and vocal, giving a long and agitated series of wheezy, whining notes. Calls most often at dawn and dusk and during the night.
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