Table of Contents:
- What are Darwin’s Finches?
- Diagram of Darwin’s Finches
- About Darwin’s Finches
- Frequently Asked Questions
What are Darwin’s Finches?
Charles Darwin observed a group of small sparrow-like black birds with strong, short beaks that are known today as Darwin’s finches. These finches varied on different islands, but they were closely related to one another. He observed those finches and concluded that they came from an ancestral stock that had previously migrated from the mainland to the volcanic islands and had undergone profound changes under the different conditions of the individual island.
Here, let’s look at the finches that he observed on the Galapagos islands that once inhabited the South American mainland.
Diagram of Darwin’s Finches
About Darwin’s Finches
These finches belong to the largest family of passerine birds called the Fringillidae. These birds show a remarkable diversification in their beak based on their chief food. Out of the 14 finches observed by Darwin, 13 were from the Galapagos island, and one was from the Cocos island.
|
Bird (Scientific name) |
Type of Food |
Descriptive Design |
|
Geospiza magnirostris |
Seeds and nuts |
Large ground finch |
|
Geospiza fuliginosa |
Seeds, flower buds and young leaves |
Small ground finch |
|
Geospiza fortis |
Seeds, flower buds and young leaves |
Medium ground finch |
|
Geospiza difficilis |
Primarily Seeds |
Sharp-beaked ground finch |
|
Geospiza scandens |
Cactus (Opuntia cacti) |
Cactus ground finch |
|
Geospiza conirostris |
Cactus (Opuntia cacti) |
Large cactus ground finch |
|
Platyspiza crassirostris |
Plants (flowers, buds, leaves and fruits) |
Vegetarian tree finch |
|
Camarhynchus psittacula |
Insects |
Large insectivorous tree finch |
|
Camarhynchus parvulus |
Insects |
Small insectivorous tree finch |
|
Camarhynchus pauper |
Insects |
Medium insectivorous tree finch |
|
Camarhynchus heliobates |
Insects and larvae in mangrove |
Mangrove finch |
|
Camarhynchus pallidus |
Insects (with the help of tools) |
Woodpecker finch |
|
Certhidea olivacea |
Insects |
Warbler finch |
|
Pinaroloxias inornata |
Insects |
Cocos finch |
These finches evolved from a common ancestor to have different beaks well-suited for different types of food they feed on. Usually, long and pointed beaks are more fitted for seed and cactus feeders. Even some short-beaked finches tear up the base of the cactus and feed on its pulp. Most finches that feed on seeds on the ground (ground finches) have short and stout beaks. Slender and sharp beaks are common in insect-eating finches. This adaptation helps them occupy and survive in different niches. Most of them evolved from regular seed-eating finches to insectivorous and plant-eating finches. The process by which they successfully evolved and radiated to different habitats is termed as adaptive radiation.
Darwin speculated that these sparrow-like birds came to the Galapagos by the wind. Thereafter, evolution took place, leading to different groups based on their different diets. At present, these finches are considered as emblems of evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Charles Darwin?
Charles Darwin was a biologist, naturalist and geologist who significantly contributed to the field of evolutionary biology. Darwin’s evolutionary theory of natural selection gave a more rational explanation of the formation of new species. As per natural selection, various species originated from a single species as a result of adaptation to the changing environment.
What do Darwin’s finches interpret?
The different geographical landscapes in the Galapagos Islands have promoted the diversification of finches on the same island. All of the finches evolved from an original seed-eating form. They must have radiated from the common ancestor and undergone adaptive changes, especially in the type of beak. Thus, they gradually became vegetarians and also insectivorous.
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