Medium Tree-Finch

About the Medium Tree-Finch

The medium tree finch (Camarhynchus pauper) is a species of Darwin's finch. It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands, where it occurs only on Floreana Island. Its name derives from its intermediate size between the small tree finch and large tree finch. Due to its limited geographic range and its high breeding mortality following the introduction of the parasitic avian vampire fly, the medium tree finch is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.

This species is only found on Floreana Island at elevations above 250 meters (820 ft) in moist highland forest habitats, across an range of about 24 km². Prime breeding habitat is dominated by Scalesia pedunculata trees, although the species also occurs in the surrounding agricultural zones. A 2008 survey estimated the number of medium tree finches as 1,620, while a series of surveys between 2014 and 2016 put the number of medium tree finch territories at between 3900 and 4700.

The diurnal Galapagos short-eared owl is its only remaining natural predator. Medium tree finches generally lay two to three eggs. Eggs are incubated for approximately 12 days, and nestlings are fed by both parents at the... Wikipedia →