One of the most unusual and fascinating birds found in the Galápagos Islands. This small bird, with its dark plumage and sharp beak, is part of the Geospiza genus, commonly known as Darwin’s finches. What sets the vampire ground finch apart from other finches is its highly unusual feeding behavior. Unlike most birds that eat seeds, insects, or fruit, the vampire ground finch has a peculiar habit of drinking blood from other birds. This behavior is not as gruesome as it might sound, but it is certainly unique in the bird world.

The vampire ground finch primarily lives on the islands of Wolf and Darwin in the Galápagos. These islands are remote and have limited food resources, which likely led to the evolution of this blood-feeding behavior. When food is scarce, the finch turns to an unexpected source: the blood of larger birds, such as boobies. The finch lands on the back of the unsuspecting bird and uses its sharp beak to peck at the skin until it draws blood. Then, it drinks the blood, which provides it with essential nutrients. Interestingly, the boobies often do not react aggressively to this behavior, possibly because the finch’s pecking feels similar to grooming, or perhaps because the loss of blood is not significant enough to cause serious harm.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the vampire ground finch is its sharp, pointed beak, which is perfectly adapted for piercing the skin of other birds. This beak shape is different from that of other finches, which have beaks suited for cracking seeds or catching insects. The finch’s dark feathers help it blend into its environment, making it less noticeable to its potential blood donors.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Ecuador

250-1,000

Official estimate

VU

2021

Galápagos