Woodpecker finch

Woodpecker finches range in weight from and are about long. Although their tongues are quite short, they have a relatively long bill compared to other species of Darwin's finches. == Distribution ==

Woodpecker finches are native to the Galapagos Islands. They are commonly found on the islands of Isabela, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Fernandina, Santiago, and Penzón. They occupy all areas of the islands, from the most arid zones to more humid zones. However, the density of woodpecker finches is greater in the more humid zones than in the drier ones. Woodpecker finches are also found at a variety of altitudes, from sea level to higher inland elevations. They are not a migratory species and when they do fly, they only fly short distances. == Diet ==

Woodpecker finch diets mainly consist of arthropods found under dead logs and rocks. Wood-boring beetle larvae are a staple of their diet. They also often feed on moths, caterpillars, and crickets. Another significant part of their diet includes meat from the small animals it kills, making woodpecker finches important hunters. == Foraging behaviour ==

One of the most distinguishable traits of the woodpecker finch is its ability to use twigs, sticks, or cactus spines as tools. This behaviour has earned it the nicknames "tool-using finch" and "carpenter finch". The finch manipulates the tool to dislodge invertebrate prey, such as grubs, from crevices in trees. In contrast, juvenile woodpecker finches have also been observed learning to use novel tools made from non-native plant species, such as blackberry bushes. Woodpecker finches living in wetter environments seldom use tools, as prey is much more abundant, whereas those in dry areas commonly use tools during foraging. During the dry season, woodpecker finches use tools while foraging to acquire up to 50% of their prey. This tool use allows woodpecker finches to obtain prey that they would otherwise be unable to reach with their short tongues. It is thought that this behaviour evolved due to the dry and unstable environmental conditions on the Galapagos Islands. == Reproduction ==

There are no morphological differences between either sex in woodpecker finches, as they are monomorphic. Woodpecker finches mainly use moss, lichens, and grass as building materials for their nests. During the 2-week incubation period when females are sitting on the eggs, males linger nearby, often feeding the females. Female woodpecker finches typically lay around 2–3 eggs. Both males and females participate in the feeding of the chicks from the day they hatch until well after they have become independent. Woodpecker finch chicks will fledge around 2 weeks after hatching. ==References==