Galapagos Species Database

Taxon category: Accepted

This species is closely related to the Grey Warbler Finch, and were formerly considered conspecfic, but both species differ in appearance, distribution, habitat, and song. Syn.: Certhidea olivacea ridgwayi Rothschild & Hartert, 1899, Certhidea olivacea olivacea Gould, 1837, Certhidea olivacea mentalis Ridgway, 1894, Certhidea olivacea luteola Ridgway, 1894, Certhidea olivacea cinerascens Ridgway, 1890, Certhidea olivacea bifasciata Ridgway, 1894, Certhidea olivacea becki Rothschild, 1898.

Origin: Endemic

Preference for an altitude zone in Galapagos: Dry zone - humid zone

Substrate or host preferences: Forages in trees and shrubs, searching foliage leaf clusters and epiphytes and probing mosses (especially during the dry season), for arthropods.

Trophic role: Carnivorous

Reproductive biology: Male displays in front of a dome shape nest. Once chosen, the pair either use this nest or build a new one. Only females incubate (two to three eggs), both feed the chicks. Fledglings stay for up to 6 weeks with a parent, either with the male while the female starts a new clutch, or, one with the female and the other with the male.

Distribution: C. olivacea is found on the larger central and western islands. Present on Pinzón, Fernandina, Isabela, Rabida, Santa Cruz, Santiago Islands.

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