Woodpecker finch
The woodpecker finch (Camarhynchus pallidus) is a monomorphic species of bird in the Darwin's finch group of the tanager family, Thraupidae endemic to the Galapagos Islands.[2] The diet of a woodpecker finch revolves mostly around invertebrates, but also encompasses a variety of seeds.[3][4] Woodpecker finches, like many other species of birds, form breeding pairs and care for young until they have fledged.[5] The most distinctive characteristic of woodpecker finches is their ability to use tools for foraging.[3] This behaviour indicates that they have highly specialized cognitive abilities.[6] Woodpecker finches have also shown the ability to learn new behaviours regarding tool use via social learning.[3] Not all populations of woodpecker finches use tools equally often, as this is influenced by the environment in which they live.[7]
Distribution[edit]
Woodpecker finches are native to the Galapagos Islands. They are commonly found on the islands of Isabela, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Fernandina, Santiago, and Penzón. They occupy all areas of the islands, from the most arid zones to more humid zones. However, the density of woodpecker finches is greater in the more humid zones than in the drier ones.[5] Woodpecker finches are also found at a variety of altitudes, from sea level to higher inland elevations.[2] They are a not a migratory species and when they do fly, they only fly short distances.[2]
Diet[edit]
Woodpecker finch diets mainly consist of arthropods found under dead logs and rocks.[3] They only eat larvae, which are often located inside dead logs.[5] Their habit of pecking at fallen logs is similar to a woodpecker's drumming on a tree trunk.[8] Wood-boring beetle larvae are a staple of their diet.[2] They also often feed on moths, caterpillars and crickets.[5] Another significant part of their diet includes meat from the small animals it kills, making woodpecker finches important hunters.[4]
Reproduction[edit]
There are no morphological differences between either sex in woodpecker finches, as they are monomorphic.[5] Woodpecker finches mainly use moss, lichens, and grass as building materials for their nests.[5] During the 2 week incubation period when females are sitting on the eggs, males linger nearby, often feeding the females.[5] Female woodpecker finches typically lay around 2-3 eggs.[5] Both males and females participate in the feeding of the chicks from the day they hatch until well after they have become independent.[5] Woodpecker finch chicks will fledge around 2 weeks after hatching.[5]