Medium tree finch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Medium tree finch |
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| male | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Camarhynchus
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| Species: |
pauper
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| Synonyms | |
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Geospiza pauper |
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The medium tree finch (Camarhynchus pauper) is a special type of bird found only on the Galápagos Islands. It belongs to a famous group of birds called Darwin's finches. These birds are known for their different beak shapes, which help them eat different foods.
This finch is considered "critically endangered". This means there are very few of them left in the wild, and they are at high risk of disappearing forever. It gets its name because its beak is in between the size of the small tree finch and the large tree finch.
Contents
Where the Medium Tree Finch Lives
The medium tree finch lives only on one island in the Galápagos, called Floreana Island. You can find them in the moist, high-up forest areas, usually above 250 meters (about 820 feet). These forests have special trees called Scalesia pedunculata, which are important for the finches to live and raise their young.
What the Medium Tree Finch Eats
The medium tree finch mainly eats insects. Its beak size is just right for catching certain types and sizes of insects. Other finches, like the large tree finch on Isabela Island, eat similar insects. This is why their beak sizes can be quite alike, even though they live on different islands.
Life Cycle and Family Life
Medium tree finches usually lay two to three eggs at a time. Both parents take turns keeping the eggs warm for about 12 days. After the chicks hatch, both parents work together to feed them in the nest. The young birds stay in the nest for about 14 days before they are ready to fly out on their own.
The only natural animal that hunts the medium tree finch is the Galapagos short-eared owl. This owl is active during the day, unlike most owls.
Why the Medium Tree Finch Needs Help
The medium tree finch is in big trouble, and its numbers are shrinking fast. There are several reasons why this special bird is "critically endangered":
Introduced Animals
Animals that were brought to Floreana Island by humans are a big problem. These include rats, mice, cats, and a bird called the smooth-billed ani. These animals hunt the finches and their eggs, making it hard for them to survive.
Losing Their Home
People have cleared some of the forests on Floreana Island to make space for farms. This means the finches are losing their natural homes and places to find food and build nests.
A Dangerous Fly
One of the biggest threats is a tiny, harmful fly called Philornis downsi. This fly lays its eggs in the finch nests. When the fly larvae (baby flies) hatch, they feed on the blood and bodies of the baby finches. This causes many young finches to die before they can even leave the nest.
Because of all these threats, and because the medium tree finch lives in such a small area on just one island, it is very important to protect them so they don't disappear forever.
See also
In Spanish: Pinzón de Darwin modesto para niños
