Galapagos Finches Meets Darwin Finches

 Galapagos Finches

The Galapagos Finches are sometimes called the Darwin Finch. If anyone has every wondered why then this will help explain it. Charles Darwin based his well-known theory for his thesis that species are not immutable on these birds. Mr. Darwin long-studied these birds and through his research theorized that evolution was a natural process or selection. Hence came Darwin’s theory of evolution.

These small finches live upon, you guessed it, the Galapagos Island. Except one species of this type of bird that can be found upon the Coco Island. They have long been studied due to their ability to adapt easily to their habitat. Their development as a species is thought to be based upon their virtual non-competition on the Galapagos Island. The specific characteristics that they now share are theorized to be due to their ability to adapt.

Hence the Galapagos Finches have a beak size, and behavior that is indicative of what their habitat would need for survival. This same species changed outward appearance due to what what kind of food is available in their area. Some of their beaks changed shape and size for doing things such as crushing seeds, picking on wood or drinking nectar from a flower. Yet, they are still from the same species, but at the same time very different. There is one type of Galapagos Finch known as the woodpecker finch who holds a stick to fish out insects from tree openings. He may even use cactus spines.

DNA has proven that the Galapagos Finch, even in all its different character feature adaptations used to conform to its habitat, are still the same species. Therefore, some agree proving Mr. Darwin’s theory of evolution. But believe it or not Darwin’s famous finches are really not related to finches per say. It is unknown exactly what species they are from. 

Galapagos finches can be anywhere between four and eight inches long. They are normally a brown or black in coloring. But bills will be different in accordance with their specific habitat and diet. Most believe the smallest of these birds to be the Warbler and the largest to be the Vegetarian. Other than their great contribution, or infamy, in being part of the making of Mr. Darwin’s theory of evolution they really are a quite ordinary looking bird.

Galapagos Finches are like other finches they sing beautifully for all our enjoyment. Just as diet for these birds will vary from species to species, their breeding will also vary due to differences in species. Each differing species of Galapagos Finches has a unique mating song. This may be due most probably to the difference in beak size due to adaption for eating purposes in the differing habitats. The larger of the species has what has been termed as a much more cumbersome-type song. While birds with smaller beaks sing quicker songs noted to have a much wider-type of tones. This could be significant as it is the song that attracts the mate for the finch.