Mangrove Finch
CR

Mangrove Finch

Geospiza heliobates

Declining

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

The mangrove finch is a species of bird in the Darwin's finch group of the tanager family Thraupidae. It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands. It was found on the islands of Fernandina and Isabela, but recent surveys have failed to record the species on Fernandina.

It has been classified as critically endangered by BirdLife International, with an estimated population of 20–40 mature individuals in 2021, located in two large mangroves on Isabela. A study has shown that the two small populations remaining on Isabela Island have begun undergoing speciation and that one or both populations will eventually become extinct due to a lack of interbreeding.

The Mangrove Finch is critically endangered due to its extremely restricted range, being found only in mangrove forests on Isabela Island in the Galápagos. The species faces severe threats from habitat degradation, invasive species, and parasitic flies that attack nestlings, with the total population estimated at fewer than 100 individuals.

Threat summary

Habitat

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionInvasive/problematic species controlSpecies managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communications

Other threatened species in THRAUPIDAE

EN

Gubernatrix cristata

Declining
Seven-colored TanagerVU

Seven-colored Tanager

Tangara fastuosa

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Cherry-throated TanagerCR

Cherry-throated Tanager

Nemosia rourei

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Large Tree-finchVU

Large Tree-finch

Geospiza psittacula

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Threatened in Ecuador

EN

Puya fastuosa

Unknown
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Diospyros esmereg

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VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

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Tapirus bairdii

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Mangrove Finch classified as Critically Endangered?
Mangrove Finch is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Mangrove Finch is critically endangered due to its extremely restricted range, being found only in mangrove forests on Isabela Island in the Galápagos. The species faces severe threats from habitat degradation, invasive species, and parasitic flies that attack nestlings, with the total population estimated at fewer than 100 individuals.
Where does Mangrove Finch live?
Mangrove Finch occurs in Ecuador. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Mangrove Finch?
The main threats to Mangrove Finch are 11.1, 12.1, 7.1, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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