Darwin's Finches, Santa Cruz, The Galapagos (May 22, 2018) (1 Viewer)

howiewu

Well-known member

• Jun 10, 2018

• #1

Hi, I took these on May 22, 2018 on Isla Santa Cruz in the Galapagos.

The first two -- likely the same bird, but not 100% sure -- were taken at Las Bachas Beach. I am thinking Small Ground.

The third one was taken along Cerro Dragon trail, thinking Medium Ground.

The last one was also taken near Cerro Dragon, thinking Cactus Ground?

What do you think?

Thanks in advance,
Howard

 

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howiewu

Well-known member

• Jun 10, 2018

• #2

Anyone?

 

howiewu

Well-known member

• Jun 11, 2018

• #3

Bump it for the last time before it sinks into the abyss.

 

pbjosh

missing the neotropics

• Jun 11, 2018

• #4

It's been a couple years since I was in the Galapagos and don't have a guide handy. The last bird is definitely Common Cactus-Finch. I don't see anything to suggest that your Ground-Finch ID's are incorrect but Small vs Medium is not a trivial ID, varies by island, and I honestly don't remember them well enough to comment more

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jun 11, 2018

• #5

Compare here: https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Small_Ground_Finch

I actually think you might be in the situation where on larger islands you often have two groups within the medium ground finch complex: one with smaller and one with larger bills. I think image 1 and 2 belong to the smaller-billed Medium, and the third image to the larger-billed Medium.

Disclaimer: my books for this area are in Dominica and I am not.

Niels

 

howiewu

Well-known member

• Jun 11, 2018

• #6

Thank you both.