Gough finch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gough finch |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male on Gough Island | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rowettia
|
| Species: |
goughensis
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Nesospiza goughensis (protonym) |
|
The Gough finch (Rowettia goughensis), also called the Gough bunting, is a small songbird. It is a very rare bird, found only on one island. Sadly, it is now a Critically Endangered species, meaning it is in great danger of disappearing forever.
Contents
About the Gough Finch
The Gough finch is a medium-sized bird. It is about 22 to 26 centimeters (8.7 to 10.2 inches) long. It weighs around 50 to 56 grams (1.8 to 2.0 ounces), which is about the same as a small apple.
Where the Gough Finch Lives
This special bird lives only on Gough Island. This is a very remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena. The finch also lives on small rocky islands nearby.
The Gough finch likes to live in areas with temperate shrubland and subantarctic grassland. This means it lives in places with bushes and open grassy fields.
How the Gough Finch Got its Name
The Gough finch was first officially described in 1904. This was done by a British bird expert named William Eagle Clarke. He found a specimen, which is a sample of the bird, on Gough Island.
Clarke gave the bird its first scientific name, Nesospiza goughensis. Later, in 1923, another English bird expert, Percy Lowe, placed the Gough finch in its own special group called Rowettia. This group was named after John Quiller Rowett. He was a businessman who helped fund an important expedition.
For a long time, people thought the Gough finch was a type of bunting. But scientists have since learned that it is actually a member of the tanager family. This means it is related to other colorful birds found mostly in the Americas. The Gough finch is the only species in its group, meaning there are no other birds exactly like it.
Interestingly, another finch was described from Gough Island in 1904, called Nesospiza jessiae. But it was later discovered that this was just a young Gough finch!
Why the Gough Finch is Endangered
The Gough finch is in serious trouble. It used to be classified as a Vulnerable species, but its numbers have dropped very quickly. Now, it is listed as Critically Endangered.
The main reason for this is a problem with house mice (Mus musculus) on the island. These mice were accidentally brought to Gough Island by humans. They have become very aggressive. They compete with the finches for food. Even worse, they eat the finch's eggs and tiny baby birds (nestlings). This makes it very hard for the Gough finch to have enough babies to survive.
See also
In Spanish: Yal de Gough para niños
