Galapagos Species Database

Taxon category: Accepted

Syn.: Geospiza scandens abingdoni (P. L. Sclater & Salvin, 1870); Geospiza scandens intermedia Ridgway, 1894; Geospiza scandens rothschildi Heller & Snodgrass, 1901; Geospiza scandens scandens (Gould, 1837); Cactornis scandens Gould, 1837; Cactornis assimilis Gould, 1837; Cactornis abingdoni (Sclater & Salvin, 1870).

Taxon origin: Endemic

Preference for an altitude zone in Galapagos: Coastal zone - dry zone

Habitat preferences: Prefers dry shrub and woodlands with large Opuntia populations.

Feeding preferences: Opuntia specialist, exploits flowers, nectar, pollen, seeds, and insects and larvae from rotting pads. Also feeds on other seeds.

Trophic role: Omnivorous

Reproduction mode: Exclusively sexual

Reproductive biology: Male displays in front of a dome shape nest built in an Opuntia cactus pad. Only females incubate (three to five eggs), both feed the chicks. May start breeding slightly earlier than other finches and particularly before the onset of the rain. Always build nests between pads of Opuntia.

Map of specimen collection localities or observation records for this species in our collections database.

Distribution: Found on main islands except Fernandina and Pinzón (extinct ??).

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