Galapagos Finch Help (1 Viewer)

Dear All,

On our trip to the Galapagos, we saw mostly ground finches, of all three varieties. I was hoping for help on a couple possible non-ground finches that i'm not sure about:

1. I thought this was a small tree finch due to the more angled bill shape (it's the one labeled as such in this checklist):
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46952943

2. Bill and body shape led me to vegetarian finch for this one, seen at the airport. Admittedly not a great picture.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46953635

I appreciate any help here. Thanks!

Conor

I think you are wrong on the vegetarian, compare: https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=540401

I am not sure about the tree finch

Niels

I am no expert but I just went to the Galapagos recently and researched on the finches, I think the second bird is unlikely to be a Vegetarian as those live at higher elevations. Perhaps another Ground Finch.

Thank you both for the input. After reviewing your input and researching more, my "vegetarian finch" is a medium ground finch, almost certainly.

Niels - Your Vegetarian Finch really fits the description found in my guide (Fieldbook of the Birds of Ecuador - McMullan and Navarrete) "heavy-bodied and small-headed, like a finch on steroids."