Galapagos Species Database
The Galapagos Species Database shares the information about the species from our Natural History Collections.
Camarhynchus heliobates
Pinzón Manglero, Pinzón de mangle, Mangrove Finch
Threats: The species is threatened by the loss of habitats, mangrove are very restricted habitats on the Galápagos, rats, but the main current threat is probably the introduced fly Philornis downsi that causes high chick mortality of that small clutch species. Annual survey are performed and a captive breeding program (head starting) was started to try to support the populations while control of Philornis is still not possible. “Head starting” means collecting eggs, hand rearing chicks and return them into their original habitat once independent.
Domain
Eukaryota
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Camarhynchus
Species
heliobates
Taxon category: Accepted
Syn.: Cactospiza heliobates (Snodgras & Heller, 1901); Geospiza heliobates Snodgras & Heller, 1901
Taxon origin: Endemic
Preference for an altitude zone in Galapagos: Coastal zone
Habitat preferences: Mixed mangroves with red (Rhizophora mangle), black (Avicennia germinans) and white (Laguncularia racemosa) mangrove trees preferred for both foraging and nesting.
Trophic role: Carnivorous
Reproduction mode: Exclusively sexual
Reproductive biology: Always nests in the outermost branches of the canopy of black (Avicennia germinans) and white (Laguncularia racemosa) mangrove trees and show a pronounced preference for the very high branches of black mangrove where available,. Red mangroves are an important feeding substrate but not used for nesting. Male displays in front of a dome shape nest. Once chosen, the pair either use this nest or build a new one. Only females incubate (two to three eggs), both feed the chicks. Fledglings stay for up to 6 weeks with a parent, either with the male while the female starts a new clutch, or, one with the female and the other with the male.
Distribution: Present on Playa Tortuga Negra, Caleta Black and Cartago on Isabela Island. Extinct on Fernandina.
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Feeding type: Insectivorous
Feeds on arthropods found in litter on the ground, dead wood or apical buds of red mangrove. Habitat must be rich in accumulated leaf litter as foraging is intensive.