Bird Guide

Vampire Ground Finch

Geospiza septentrionalis

VulnerableEndemicOmnivoreShrublandDomed nestTiny · 12 g

About the Vampire Ground Finch

The Vampire ground finch or Vampire finch is a small bird native to the Galápagos Islands. A member of the Darwin's finches group, it is known for its unique parasitic behavior of feeding on the blood of other birds. It is endemic to Wolf and Darwin Island. The species was previously considered a very distinct subspecies of the sharp-beaked ground finch, but the International Ornithologists' Union has split the species based on strong genetic evidence that they are not closely related, and divergences in morphology and song.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The vampire finch is sexually dimorphic as typical for its genus, with the males being primarily black and the females grey with brown streaks. It has a lilting song along with a drawn-out, buzzing call on Wolf, a buzzing song on Darwin, and whistling calls on both islands.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Vampire Ground Finch lives

Regular range

When to see the Vampire Ground Finch

Peak activity in June · a summer visitor species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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