Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Darwin's "finches" represent a remarkable series of species that inhabit the Galápagos and Cocos Islands. They have diverged from the original colonizing species to give rise to around 15 species that differ in their morphology and habits. Darwin did not recognize their common origin, but was rather informed of this fact by his colleague John Gould.
I experienced a bit of a revelation myself in learning that Darwin's "finches" are no longer classified as true finches, but rather as tanangers! - in the family Thraupidae.
Modified: December 23, 2012
Created: August 25, 2010