Woodpecker and Large Tree-Finch? Santa Cruz and Isabela, Galapagos March 2024 (1 Viewer)

[Itspartypete]

A few more finches, I was hoping to get a second opinion on these two. These are the only photos I have for these guys, as they were moving too fast to get clearer shots. I also don't have anything to use as a reference for size, as both were alone at the time and too far away for me to be confident in using size as an ID tool.

The first photo is at the Chato ranch on Santa Cruz island. It was foraging in the tall grass in a field with sparse trees.

The second is at a trail on the Sierra Negro volcano (Isabela island). The bird is in a pretty forested area, taller trees and decent undergrowth.

Thanks for all help!

 

[njlarsen]

The bird in the grass should be a ground finch. However, it does give a long-billed impression so leaning Cactus Finch with low confidence.
The second one should be a tree finch with that curvature on upper mandible, and I am thinking Large TF.
Niels

 

[Itspartypete]

The bird in the grass should be a ground finch. However, it does give a long-billed impression so leaning Cactus Finch with low confidence.
The second one should be a tree finch with that curvature on upper mandible, and I am thinking Large TF.
Niels

Cactus Finch could make sense, just seemed out of place in that habitat. There are no cacti in the area, and I think they prefer arid areas. Considering wings can take you anywhere, still not impossible.

How confident are you in Large-Tree finch? I wish I had a better photo, but I feel like Small Tree-Finches are less "bulky" looking (which seems like a weak ID point, considering they can fluff up) and the bill seems more rounded on the under mandible, something that seems more likely in Large Tree-finches .

Thank you!

 

[njlarsen]

Just so happens I have a photo in each of the two Opus pages for Tree finches. Compare

Large Tree Finch - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

Small Tree Finch - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

Of these, the large is closer to your photo.
Niels

 

[Itspartypete]

Just so happens I have a photo in each of the two Opus pages for Tree finches. Compare

Large Tree Finch - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

Small Tree Finch - BirdForum Opus

www.birdforum.net

Of these, the large is closer to your photo.
Niels

Awesome, thank you!