Galapagos Species Database

Taxon category: Accepted

Origin: Endemic

Habitat preferences: Tropical deciduous to wet forests.

Feeding type: Mainly insectivorous, has also been observed feeding on the flesh of fruits (Momordica, Scutia, Tournefortia) and on flowers, thus a potential pollen vector.

Reproductive biology: Territorial. Nests in cavities in trees or cactus. Lays 3-5 eggs. The species is known to nest in artificial cavities such as hollow electric poles or nest boxes.

Distribution origin: A recent genetic study has shown a single colonization event about 850 000 yrs ago from southern central America rather than continental Ecuador.

Distribution classification: Eutropical

Natural enemies: Affected by Philornis.

Map of specimen collection localities or observation records for this species in our collections database.

Distribution: Common on all major islands but Genovesa. It is decreasing but still fairly common except on San Cristóbal where it is already rare.

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