G. magnirostris Skull or Large Ground Finch is museum quality polyurethane cast. Large Ground Finch Skull is made in USA. One of Darwin’s Finches
The G. magnirostris or Large ground finch is a species of bird. One of Darwin’s finches, it is now placed in the family Thraupidae and was formerly in the Emberizidae.
It is endemic to the Galapagos Islands, and is found in the arid zone of most of the archipelago, though it is absent from the southeastern Islands.
It is the largest species of Darwin’s finch both in total size and size of beak. It has a large, stubby beak for cracking and consuming nuts. Upper mandible starts over the eye line.
The adult male G. magnirostris Skull or Large Ground Finch is almost entirely black, except the slightly browner wings and tail, and the white streaked black vent. The tail is relatively short.
Like in other males’ finches, the bill is black during the breeding season, turning orange-yellow outside this period. The eyes are dark brown. Legs and feet are blackish.
Its large beak allows it to feed on the largest available seeds and large insects. The bill shape also involves slower and lower-pitched sounds and more nasal calls. It is usually found in arid lowland areas.
Like in other male finches, the bill is black during the breeding season, turning orange-yellow outside this period. The eyes are dark brown. Legs and feet are blackish.
The female G. magnirostris or Large ground finch has dark brown plumage with pale buff to grey fringing, involving scaled pattern on the upperparts. Head and breast are streaked, with the dark streaks becoming paler on lower breast, and less distinct on belly and undertail coverts.
The bill’s color varies according to the breeding state, from dark with orange base and yellow tip, to entirely orange-yellow.
Large ground finch feeds on large seeds, fruits and caterpillars. It has also been observed feeding nestlings with large spiders.
