Vegetarian finch

The vegetarian finch is a species of bird in the Darwin's finch group of the tanager family Thraupidae endemic to the Galápagos Islands. It is the only member of the genus Platyspiza.

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Distribution

Region

Galápagos Archipelago

Typical Environment

Occurs on several major islands across both arid lowlands and humid highlands. It frequents Scalesia and Miconia zones, shrubby thickets, forest edges, and areas with Opuntia cacti. The species is adaptable, moving between canopy and mid-level foliage to browse leaves and buds. It is generally more common in moister highland habitats but can be found near sea level where suitable vegetation exists.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size15–18 cm

Wing Span24–28 cm

Male Weight0.038 kg

Female Weight0.034 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Also known as Darwin’s vegetarian finch, it is the sole member of the genus Platyspiza and one of the most herbivorous of Darwin’s finches. Its unusually deep, parrotlike bill is adapted for clipping leaves, buds, and fruit. It plays an important role in shaping island plant communities through browsing and seed handling.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

generally tame, calm, and methodical while foraging

Flight Pattern

short, direct flights with rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Often forages singly or in pairs, occasionally joining small mixed-species groups. Breeds in the warm season; males defend small territories and both sexes contribute to nesting. Nests are typically globular and placed in shrubs or trees.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

The song is a simple series of thin trills and buzzy phrases delivered from perches. Calls include sharp chip notes and soft contact calls used while moving through foliage.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Velvet asity

The velvet asity is a bird species in the family Philepittidae that is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Non-breeding males have yellow-tipped feathers, while breeding males have a velvety black plumage with a pair of green fleshy supraorbital caruncles above the eyes. Adult females are greenish and have underparts striped with pale yellow-green longitudinal lines. Velvet asities eat berries and other fruits in the undergrowth. They build hanging nests with a little roof over the entrance. The species is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.

Velvet-fronted nuthatch

The velvet-fronted nuthatch is a small passerine bird in the nuthatch family Sittidae found in southern Asia from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka ‍and Bangladesh east to south China and Indonesia. Like other nuthatches, it feeds on insects in the bark of trees, foraging on the trunks and branches and their strongly clawed toes allow them to climb down tree trunks or move on the undersides of horizontal branches. They are found in forests with good tree cover and are often found along with other species in mixed-species foraging flocks. Adult males can be told apart by the black stripe that runs behind and above the eyes. They have a rapid chipping call note. They breed in tree cavities and holes, often created by woodpeckers or barbets.