Mangrove Finch
Camarhynchus heliobates
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.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove_finch
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Camarhynchus
Mangrove Finch belongs to the family Thraupidae, order Passeriformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
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.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Observations of widespread dieback in black mangrove trees in 2019 have raised concerns. While the mangrove finch can survive without these trees, they are the preferred nest sites. Changes in rainfall patterns negatively impact the population, resulting in fewer females attaining breeding condition. The species faces additional pressure from potential sea level rise driven by climate change.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
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.
Extremely small population size and restricted range
Habitat destruction and degradation of mangrove forests
Invasive parasitic flies (Philornis downsi)
Climate change impacts on mangrove ecosystems
Invasive plant species altering habitat structure
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Mangrove Finch (Camarhynchus heliobates). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/mangrove-finch