© Robert Siegel
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Darwin's "finches"

Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Genera: Geospiza; Camarhynchus/Platyspiza; Certhidea; Pinaroloxias

Darwin's "finches" represent a remarkable series of species that inhabit the Galápagos and Cocos Islands. They have diverged from the original colonizing species to give rise to around 15 species in four genera. They differ in their morphology and habits.
Darwin did not recognize their common origin, but was rather informed of this fact by his colleague John Gould.

Years ago, I experienced a bit of a revelation in learning that Darwin's "finches" are no longer classified as true finches, but rather as tanagers! - in the family Thraupidae.

Species depicted - species in genera (out of around )

+ Medium ground-finch ((Geospiza fortis))
+ Gray warbler-finch ((Certhidea fusca)
+ Green warbler-finch ((Certhidea olivacea))

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Genus: Geospiza

Medium ground-finch ((Geospiza fortis))

galapagos

Medium ground-finch ((Geospiza fortis))
Family: Thraupidae (tanagers, Darwin's finches)
San Cristobal Island, Galápagos 2025
June 27, 2025
Canon R5m2

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Genus: Certhidea

Gray warbler-finch ((Certhidea fusca)

Warbler finch

galapagos

Gray warbler-finch ((Certhidea fusca))
Family: Thraupidae (tanagers, Darwin's finches)
Espanola Island, Galápagos 2025
June 29, 2025
Canon R5m2

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Green warbler-finch ((Certhidea olivacea))

Green warbler finch

galapagos

Green warbler-finch ((Certhidea olivacea))
Family: Thraupidae (tanagers, Darwin's finches)
Los Gemelos
Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos 2025
July 7, 2025
Canon R5m2

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Gould's revelation

galapagos
Darwin's finch
Galápagos

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galapagos
Darwin's finch
Floreana
Galápagos
July 29, 2010

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galapagos
Darwin's finch
Galápagos
July 31, 2010

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Finch

galapagos

Darwin's finch
Galápagos
July 8, 2017
Canon 7Dmarkii

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Finch

galapagos

Darwin's finch
Galápagos
July 9, 2017
Canon 7Dmarkii

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Finch

galapagos

Galápagos finch
CDRF
Santa Cruz, Galápagos
July 8, 2017
Canon 7Dmark2

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Finch tail

galapagos

Galápagos finch
CDRF
Santa Cruz, Galápagos
July 8, 2017
Canon 7Dmark2

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"Finch"

galapagos

Galápagos finch
Isabela, Galápagos
June 26, 2015
Canon 7Dmark2
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Finch bathing

galapagos

Galápagos finch
Isabela, Galápagos
June 26, 2015
Canon 7Dmark2
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galapagos

Galápagos finch
Isabela, Galápagos
June 26, 2015
Canon 7Dmark2
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galapagos

Galápagos finch
Isabela, Galápagos
June 26, 2015
Canon 7Dmark2
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Modified: December 25, 2019
Created: August 25, 2010
Contact: siegelr@stanford.edu
All pictures are protected by copyright. Do not use without permission.