Skip navigation
Go to home page > Species > Darwin’s finches

Darwin's finches

One of Darwin's finches in Galapagos
© Caroline Marmion

Common name:

Darwin's finches

Scientific name:

Geospizinae subfamily

Spanish name:

Pinzones de Darwin

Conservation status:

Vulnerable

EX EW CR EN VU NT LC

Overview

Darwin’s finches, named after Charles Darwin, are small land birds, 17 of which are endemic to the Galapagos Islands. The 18th finch is the Cocos finch which is found on Cocos Island, Costa Rica. They are not true finches – they actually belong to the tanager family. It is thought that their ancestor, and closest known relative, is the dull-coloured grassquit, which is found on mainland South America. 

Once the original grassquits arrived in Galapagos, they diversified and adapted to the different environments found on the Islands, eventually becoming different species. They famously evolved to have different beaks which are suited to different food types such as large seeds and invertebrates, allowing them to occupy different niches. 

Darwin’s finches are all very similar in shape, size and colour, but there are a few differences which can help when identifying them. These include diet, habitat, and beak size and shape.

Darwin's finches in Galapagos

How you can help

Please help us protect the wildlife of Galapagos by donating today.

Read more about Darwin's finches...

Floreana mockingbird
3rd Oct 2023
Island restoration Rewilding

12 missing species set to return to Floreana

Today is the day when the next phase of the restoration of Floreana island begins, as the project moves into the eradication phase, the largest and most complex eradication ever attempted on an inhabited tropical island.
Read more
Little vermilion flycatcher
27th Apr 2022
Events Island restoration

Protecting the Birds of Galapagos webinar 2022

Our webinar focussed on some of the most urgent issues facing Galapagos land birds, and the great steps that have been taken to tackle the threats and restore the biodiversity that we have lost. 
Read more
19th Jan 2021
Wildlife facts

Vampire finches: how little birds in Galapagos evolved to drink blood

For most people, the word “vampire” brings to mind Dracula or perhaps slayers such as Blade or Buffy; or maybe even the vampire bats of South America. Few will think of a small and rather lovely bird – the finch.
Read more
11th Mar 2020
Invasive species Island restoration

Protecting Floreana’s finches – Restoring Floreana update

Our partners on the Restoring Floreana programme have started trials to determine how best to protect these, and other native species found on the island, from poison bait when the eradication section of the programme occurs to remove invasive...
Read more

Get the latest news from Galapagos

Join our mailing list to receive our monthly email newsletter, bringing you the latest news on Galapagos and our work to protect the Islands.

Hidden
Share This Page