Medium Tree Finch

Medium Tree Finch
Medium Tree Finch
male
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Genus: Camarhynchus
Species: C. pauper
Binomial name
Camarhynchus pauper
Ridgway, 1890

The Medium Tree Finch (Camarhynchus pauper) is a critically endangered species of bird in the Darwin's finch group of the tanager family Thraupidae. It is endemic to the Galapagos Islands.

This species is only found on Floreana Island at elevations above 250m in moist highland forest habitat. Prime breeding habitat is dominated by Scalesia pedunculata trees. It is threatened by introduced predators such as rats, mice, cats, and the Smooth-billed Ani, as well as habitat loss, which has occurred through clearance for agriculture. The diurnal Galapagos Short-eared Owl is its only remaining natural predator. The introduced parasite Philornis downsi is a significant threat to the survival of this species. Parasitic larvae of this fly live in the nest material and feed on the blood and body tissues of nestlings. P. downsi causes high nestling mortality in the Medium Tree Finch

Medium Tree Finches generally lay 2-3 eggs. Eggs are incubated for approximately 12 days, and nestlings are fed by both parents at the nest for approximately 14 days before fledging.

The range of beak sizes of the Medium Tree Finch on Floreana and the Large Tree Finch, Camarhynchus psittacula, on Isabela is roughly the same.[citation needed] This reflects the fact that the two species feed on the same type and size of insect. The beak of the Medium Tree Finch is intermediate in size between the Small Tree Finch and Large Tree Finch. All three species are found in the same habitat.

References

  • O’Connor JA, Sulloway FJ, Kleindorfer S (2010) Avian population survey in the Floreana highlands: Is Darwin’s medium tree finch declining in remnant patches of Scalesia forest? Bird Conservation International. doi:10.1017/S0959270910000195
  • O’Connor JA, Sulloway FJ, Robertson J, Kleindorfer S (2010) Philornis downsi parasitism is the primary cause of nestling mortality in the critically endangered Darwin’s medium tree finch (Camarhynchus pauper). Biodiversity and Conservation. 19:853-866. doi: 10.1007/s10531-009-9740-1
  • BirdLife International 2004. Camarhynchus pauper. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 25 July 2007.

External links

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