Fun Medium Ground Finch Facts For Kids
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The species of finch with the scientific name Geospiza fortis is known as the medium ground finch. One of Darwin's finches, the medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis) belongs to the Thraupidae family.
The species is endemic to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, and it is also said that that the species evolved in real-time. As per Darwin's theory of evolution, a drop in the bill or beak size can be seen in the birds of the Daphne Major Island.
Like other species of the Geospiza, medium ground finches are sexually dimorphic. The plumage of female birds is generally streaky and brown and male birds have undertail coverts with solid black feathers and white tips.
The size of the beak generally varies, while the shape of the wing seems to differ with ecological changes. Adult male birds possess short and rounded wings that generally help to hover around female birds during the breeding season.
In Galagapos, the species is found in 10 islands, namely, Santa Fé, Floreana, Pinzón, Fernandina, Seymour, Isabela, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Baltra, and Santiago. This species inhabits forest edges, and scrubby areas, while during the breeding season, they are found in highlands.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the species in the Least Concern category because it faces no major threats as of now. In the coming years, the species may face threats such as habitat destruction and parasitism.
Let's read more fun facts about the medium ground finch, and if you find this article interesting, don't forget to check out exciting facts about different birds like the cuckoo and the Gouldian finch.
Medium Ground Finch Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a medium ground finch?
The medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis) is one of Darwin's finches that is native to the Galapagos Islands. The length of this species falls between the lengths of the small ground and large ground finch.
What class of animal does a medium ground finch belong to?
The medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis) belongs to the class of Aves, the family of Thraupidae, and the Geospiza genus. Species of the Geospiza genus are known as Darwin's finches.
How many medium ground finches are there in the world?
The exact population of medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis) birds is not known at the moment but seems to be stable. However, a study of 2015 revealed that a population of around 270,000 birds may become Extinct on Santa Cruz Island in the coming 50 years due to the outbreak of the avian pox virus.
Where does a medium ground finch live?
The medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis) is endemic to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. While in Galapagos, the species is found in 10 islands such as Baltra, Santiago, Isabela, San Cristóbal, Seymour, Pinzón, Fernandina, Santa Cruz, Santa Fé, and Floreana. Also, other species like the large ground finch and small ground finch are endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
What is a medium ground finch's habitat?
Like other species of the Geospiza genus, this bird prefers all types of habitats and is found at all elevations. The medium ground finch bird is mainly spotted in scrubby areas and forest edges, while the bird is found in highlands during the breeding season.
Who do medium ground finches live with?
Very little is known about the social behavior of the bird, but like other species of the Geospiza genus, medium ground finches are found in small flocks. Finches generally form feeding flocks, while pairs are found during the breeding season.
How long does a medium ground finch live?
The exact life expectancy rate of the medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis) is not known currently. The lifespan of Darwin's finches is generally affected by natural calamities such as drought but finch species undergo evolutionary changes to help survive the tough conditions.
How do they reproduce?
Like large ground finches, these birds are monogamous which means the pair remains with each other throughout their life. The breeding season is not known but the season is closely related to heavy rainfall and the abundance of food. Several courtship displays are performed to attract the partners.
The pair has a small territory in which the nest is built, while the male birds construct a dome-shaped nest with a side entrance. The nest is made up of dry grasses and other plant materials and the nest is placed in bushes or cactus.
Female birds lay three to four white eggs that possess dark spots and the incubation lasts for around 12 days. Unlike male and female adults, chicks generally feed on insects and leave the nest about two weeks after hatching.
What is their conservation status?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the species in the Least Concern category and the current population seems to be stable. Like other species of the Galapagos Islands, medium ground finch birds are affected by human activities such as overgrazing, habitat destruction, and fires. Also, this species suffers from high mortality rates from parasitic flies.
Medium Ground Finch Fun Facts
What do medium ground finches look like?
The female medium ground finch is generally dark brown the feathers are pale buffy in color. A pale buff stripe on the head can be spotted and the bill is dark and possesses an orange tinge at the base and yellow at the tip. Also, the color of the bill generally changes during the breeding season.
The male bird is entirely black in color. The eyes are dark brown, while the feet and legs are blackish. The robust bill turns black during the breeding season, while remains either brown or orange-yellow during other months. Also, the birds inhabiting the Daphne Major Island have a small bill.
How cute are they?
Medium ground finches are one of the most fascinating Darwin finches, and these birds are known for having a strong and sturdy bill. The huge bill also helps to spot and identify this species.
How do they communicate?
Like other species, these Darwin finches use similar methods to communicate. Their calls generally include high-pitched whistles such as 'zeeeep' and 'chhhhp'.
How big is a medium ground finch?
The average body weight and length of this species are around 0.03-0.07 lb (18-32 g) and 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm), respectively. This species is bigger than lesser goldfinch and European goldfinch.
How fast can a medium ground finch fly?
The exact speed of this bird is not known.
How much does a medium ground finch weigh?
This species weighs around 0.03-0.07 lb (18-32 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
There are no specific names give to the male and female birds. This species is sexually dimorphic and the color of the bill is also different. They are called a male medium ground finch and a female medium ground finch.
What would you call a baby medium ground finch?
The baby of the bird is known as a chick.
What do they eat?
These birds are omnivores and feed on flowers, seeds, buds, leaves. Also, the strong bill helps to prey on insects such as grasshoppers and snails.
Are they dangerous?
These birds are not dangerous at all.
Would they make a good pet?
These birds do not make great pets because they belong in the wild.
Did you know...
The Geospiza genus consists of nine species.
How many eggs do medium ground finch lay?
The female lays around three to four white eggs.
Do medium ground finches migrate?
No, medium ground finches do not migrate.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our magpie fun facts and hawk interesting facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable birds of prey coloring pages.
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