Woodpecker finch
| Woodpecker Finch | |
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| Species: | C. pallidus
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| Binomial name | |
| Camarhynchus pallidus | |
The Woodpecker Finch, Camarhynchus pallidus, is one of the so-called Darwin's finches. First seen by Charles Darwin on the Galapagos Islands, it is a unique species which uses a twig, stick, or cactus spine as a tool. The tool is used as compensation for its short tongue. The finch manipulates the tool to dislodge invertebrate prey such as grubs from trees. The same tool can be used many times on many different trees. Scientists have observed that the finches may shorten the stick or spine to make it more manageable. The finches may also try various sticks or spines at one site before finding just the appropriate one that can reach and extract the prey item. Tool use, however, is not a common behavior; most prey items are extracted using the beak in the usual manner.
Woodpecker Finches occur widely in Galápagos, from sea level to high elevations.
References
- Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
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