Vegetarian Finch Platyspiza crassirostris Scientific name definitions

The Vegetarian Finch is odd even for a Darwin’s Finch. It is a large and bulky species, striped below and with a thick yet rounded bill that is used to feed on leaves and fruits. As the name clarifies, this species is fond of greens. It is in fact common to see this finch with a green leaf or twig in its bill, this behavior helping even to identify the species! Apart from its size, this Darwin’s Finch perches rather upright and has a longish tail. When it sings the songs are interspersed with high frequency squeals that remind one of the sounds made by tuning a radio. Vegetarian Finches are often allied to the tree-finch group (Camarhynchus spp.) although they are in a phylogenetic branch all of their own.

16 cm; 29–40 g. The largest Darwin’s finch, with longer and fuller tail than others, and more vertical stance; broad, stout bill strongly curved on culmen, giving appearance like that of a parrot (Psittacidae). Male has black hood, black continuing down to throat, breast and upper flanks; upperparts olive with blackish feather centres, particularly on mantle close to hood; upperwing and tail dark brown with paler edging; underparts whitish, obscurely streaked on lower breast and flanks, buffy on lower flanks and undertail-coverts; some birds much more rufous overall, especially on underparts; iris dark; bill black, lower mandible becomes horn-coloured during non-breeding season; legs blackish. Female  is brown, streaked on crown, face and upperparts  , buffy rump; upperwing and tail brown, indistinct buffy wingbars; off-white below, streaked on throat  , breast and flanks, lower flanks washed buff; upper mandible mostly dusky brown to blackish, lower mandible usually dull orange or dull pinkish. Immature male is intermediate between female and male adults, blackish restricted to face and throat, more streaked below than adult male.

Galapagos Is: on Pinta, Marchena, Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago, Rábida, Pinzón, Baltra, Santa Cruz, Floreana and satellites, and San Cristóbal.

Variety of habitats, primarily montane evergreen forest; most common in transition zone, but will venture into arid zone lower down, as well as humid zone higher up.

Resident.

Feeds largely on leaves, flowers, buds and fruits; a true vegetarian, often when sighted has a leaf or bud in bill. Forages mostly at middle levels.

Song  a long, nasal drawn-out note  , “ph’wheeeuuuuu-íííúúú”, accented towards end, each note nearly 2 seconds in length. Call a high-pitched squealing “tzeeeeiiiiiiiiiipppppp”, like electronic sound made when tuning in a radio, the most extreme vocalization of all Darwin’s finches; also a whining “pheep”.

Breeds primarily in wet season. Nest domed, with side entrance, made from grass. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Uncommon; widespread. No evidence of any population declines.

Alvaro began birding as an 11 year old in Canada, and eventually trained in Evolutionary Ecology studying, creatures as varied as leaf-cutter ants and Argentine cowbirds. But his career has been focused on birding tourism, both as a guide and owner of his tour company, as well as a avitourism consultant to various organizations. He is the author of Birds of Chile, New World Blackbirds: The Icterids, as well as the ABA Field Guide to the birds of California. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California where he is known for his pelagic birding trips. Email: alvaro@alvarosadventures.com.