Small Ground-finch

Geospiza fuliginosa

A little songbird spotted hopping fearlessly between giant tortoises on the Galápagos Islands, where it plays a starring role in Darwin's theory of evolution.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Small Ground-finch is a compact bird with a rounded body and short tail. Males are predominantly black or dark grey, with a distinctive thick, rounded beak. Their plumage is uniform, lacking any striking markings.

Females differ significantly, displaying brown-grey upperparts and buff underparts with streaking. Juveniles resemble females but may have a paler beak. Seasonal plumage changes are minimal in this species.

Size

Length

10cm to 11cm

Wingspan

16cm to 18cm

Weight

11g to 14g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Black Grey

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

Buff

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Small Ground-finch can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Small Ground-finch can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Small Ground-finch is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Endemic to the Galápagos Islands, the Small Ground-finch is found on most islands in the archipelago. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including arid lowlands, scrublands, and woodland edges.

Their distribution remains relatively constant throughout the year, with no significant seasonal movements.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,700 meters

Climate zones

Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Small Ground-finch. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons