Scientific name Pinaroloxias inornata Higher classification Pinaroloxias Order Passerine | Family Thraupidae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Genus PinaroloxiasSharpe, 1885 Similar Vegetarian finch, Green warbler‑finch, Large tree finch, Warbler‑finch, Yellow‑shouldered grassquit | ||
The Cocos finch or Cocos Island finch (Pinaroloxias inornata) is the only one of Darwin's finches not native to the Galápagos Islands, and the only member of the genus Pinaroloxias. Sometimes classified in the family Emberizidae, more recent studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is endemic to Cocos Island, which is approximately 360 miles south of Costa Rica.
It is a chunky 12 cm long finch weighing around 12.5 g and with a black decurved pointed bill. The male is entirely black, while the female is a heavily streaked brown, with a paler underside. The young are similar but have yellow bills. The standard clutch is two brown-spotted white eggs, which are hatched in a roughly spherical nest built at the end of a tree branch.
The Cocos finch is the most abundant landbird on Cocos Island. It can be found in every habitat on the island and eats a wide range of plant and insects as food.
This species qualifies as Vulnerable because of its small range.
