Small Ground Finch
A species of Ground Finches and Cactus Finches Scientific name : Geospiza fuliginosa Genus : Ground Finches and Cactus Finches
Small Ground Finch, A species of Ground Finches and Cactus Finches
Botanical name: Geospiza fuliginosa
Genus: Ground Finches and Cactus Finches
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Charles J. Sharp , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The small ground finch is the smallest of the ground finches, measuring 11 cm (4.3 in) in length. Its beak is short and pointed, with a slightly curved culmen. On average, its beak is smaller than that of the medium ground finch, but there is a significant overlap in size between the two, particularly on islands where only one of the two species exists. On islands where the two species compete directly, the difference between their beaks are greater. The male is black with white-tipped undertail coverts, while the female and young are brown with streaked underparts. There are observable phenotypic differences between finches that live in lowlands and ones that live in highlands, and this change is most likely attributed to adaptation. The finches seen in highlands have larger, more pointed beaks and smaller feet and claws compared to the lowland variety. These finches are on a cline (series of biocommunities on a continuous gradient), and individuals in the hybrid zone have intermediate traits. This is an example of parapatric speciation, where the elevation gradient of 560 meters causes differentiation in traits, but hybrids are well adapted in their “hybrid zone.” 
Size
11 cm
Colors
Black
Gray
White
Nest Placement
Shrub
Feeding Habits
Small Ground Finch has an omnivorous diet, primarily consuming seeds, buds, flowers, and leaves, along with occasional insects. These birds forage on the ground or low vegetation and exhibit unique symbiotic feeding with Galápagos tortoises and iguanas by removing parasites.
Habitat
Small Ground Finch typically inhabits arid coastal areas, transition zones, and highlands within the Galápagos Islands, excluding Genovesa, Wolf, and Darwin islands. These birds are versatile and occupy various habitats across different elevations throughout the archipelago. While they can be found across all these habitats year-round, their presence in the highlands increases post-breeding season as they exhibit seasonal movement in response to environmental changes.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Species Status
Although the population size of the small ground finch has not been quantified, it is described as common across the Galápagos, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists it as a species of Least Concern. Its numbers seem to be stable, and neither its population size nor its range size appear to approach thresholds for concern. However, like all endemic wildlife on the Galápagos Islands, it is impacted by some human activities, including fires, overgrazing by domestic and feral animals, and the introduction of exotic species. It is found in ten of the Important Bird Areas established on the islands. The species suffers from high mortality rates from the parasitic fly, ranging from 16% to 95% over a four-year period (2002-2006).
Scientific Classification
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