What is woodpecker finch?

The woodpecker finch (Cactospiza pallida) is a small bird native to the Galápagos Islands, specifically found on the islands of Santa Cruz, Santiago, and Isabella. It belongs to the finch family (Fringillidae) and is known for its unique feeding behavior.

Woodpecker finches use cactus spines or twigs to extract insects from tree bark, a behavior that is similar to that of a woodpecker. They have a slender body with a pointed beak that is adapted for probing and extracting food from crevices.

Woodpecker finches are highly social birds and are usually found in small groups or pairs. They are known to exhibit cooperative breeding behavior, where older offspring help their parents care for and feed younger siblings.

These finches are classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), mainly due to habitat degradation and the introduction of invasive species like rats and cats to the Galápagos Islands. Conservation efforts are being made to protect the woodpecker finch and other endemic species of the Galápagos Islands.