Birds

Vampire Ground-Finch

Vampire Ground-Finch

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The Vampire Ground-Finch is a small, specialized member of Darwin's Finches, endemic to the remote northern Galápagos Islands. It is infamous for its unusual feeding habit of drinking the blood of large seabirds.
Where to spot
Endemic to the remote northern Galápagos Islands of Darwin and Wolf. Inhabits arid scrub and rocky areas near seabird colonies.
How to spot
Look for a small, dark ground-finch. To observe its unique behavior, watch for finches approaching and pecking at large seabirds. Listen for its high-pitched, buzzy song. Access to its islands is highly restricted.
When to spot
Active year-round. Observations are challenging due to the remote location. Best observed during seabird nesting seasons when its unique feeding behavior is most evident.
This finch earned its name by pecking at the base of feathers on Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies to draw blood, which it then consumes, supplementing its diet with this bizarre food source during dry seasons.
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