Finches (Medium and Small Ground?) - San Cristobol Island Galapagos - Jan 2021 (1 Viewer)

[masonflint]

Hello all,

I'm finally getting around to working through photos from the past year and am hoping for feedback on a few Galapagos finches. These photos were all taken on San Cristobol on Jan 31, 2021.

After comparing these photos to many on eBird I'm...cautiously optimistic that I have the right ID but those finches can be confusing.

I believe these photos show Medium and Small Ground Finches. Bill sizes of several are much bigger (the Mediums?) than the others (Small?).

I'd greatly appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

 

[njlarsen]

As far as I remember, it was on San Christobal that the Medium ground has split into two size classes re bill. Therefore, ideally you should have three bill classes there.
I think your 2, 4 are safe Medium GF,
7, 8 probably are small GF,
9 might be a smaller billed Medium GF.

The rest I am not comfortable saying.
Niels

 

[Brian J Small]

I agree mostly with Niels. I would say first 6 (all labelled by you as 'Medium GF') are indeed that species.

The final 3 are all Small GF, with the male being the same bird in images 7 and 9.

Brian