The Vampire Ground Finch (Geospiza septentrionalis) is a rare, small bird found only on Wolf and Darwin Islands in the Galápagos, known for feeding on the blood of Nazca and blue-footed boobies. They use their sharp beaks to peck at the base of feathers on seabirds, drinking the blood as an adaptation to survive in resource-poor environments.
Key Facts About the Vampire Ground Finch:
Unique Behavior: The finch drinks blood, a behavior thought to have evolved from feeding on parasites found on the boobies.
Limited Range: They are endemic to only two remote, northern Galápagos Islands: Wolf and Darwin.
Diet: While known for drinking blood, their diet mainly consists of seeds, invertebrates, and cactus nectar during the wet season. They also eat eggs, rolling them to break them open.
Evolutionary Adaptation: This blood-drinking behavior developed as an adaptation to the arid, resource-poor environment, helping them survive.
Physical Appearance: They have a sharp, thin, and pointed beak. Males are generally sooty-black, while females are brown with grey streaks.
Conservation Status: The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a small, restricted population estimated at 250–999 mature individuals.
Threats: Major threats include the introduced parasitic fly Philornis downsi and potential habitat changes, which can impact their population.
Similarities to Other Species: Formerly considered a subspecies of the Sharp-beaked Ground Finch, they are now recognized as a distinct species.
