In the most remote corner of the Galápagos archipelago, where very few birders ever set foot, an extraordinary bird has evolved a surprising survival strategy. The Vampire Ground-Finch (Geospiza septentrionalis) has developed a unique feeding habit that defies expectations—it drinks the blood of other birds. Found only on the isolated islands of Darwin and Wolf, this tiny avian vampire has captured the curiosity of scientists and bird enthusiasts alike.
Read on to learn more about the Vampire Ground-Finch and find out how you can join a very exclusive club and see one on our unique birding cruise in the Galápagos.
Vampire Ground-Finch quick facts
| Common Name | Vampire Ground-Finch |
| Scientific Name | Geospiza septentrionalis |
| Classification | Aves – Thraupidae |
| Average lifespan in the wild | 10 years |
| Size | 12 cm (5 inches) |
| Weight | <20g (0.7oz) |
| IUCN Red List Status | Vulnerable |
The islands of Darwin and Wolf: a remote wilderness
Situated in the far north of the Galápagos archipelago, Darwin and Wolf are among the most remote and least-visited islands in the region. Unlike the larger islands, they lack permanent human settlements and are instead dominated by steep cliffs, rugged volcanic terrain, and a thriving marine ecosystem – in fact, a 2016 study found that Darwin and Wolf’s waters have the largest shark biomass on the planet!
For this reason, these islands are best known for their incredible underwater biodiversity, attracting divers eager to encounter hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and other pelagic wonders. In fact, access to these islands is very strictly controlled, and normally only diving cruises visit Darwin and Wolf. Our private “Darwin’s Endemics” birding cruise is the only birding trip to the Galápagos with permission to visit these special islands.
To put it simply, birders rarely have the opportunity to visit Darwin and Wolf. Yet, their terrestrial inhabitants are just as fascinating as their remarkable underwater biodiversity—especially the Vampire Ground-Finch.
A bloodthirsty adaptation
Darwin’s finches are famous for their specialized beaks, which evolved to exploit different food sources—seeds, insects, and even tools for extracting food. The Vampire Ground-Finch, however, took a more macabre evolutionary path. On the nutrient-poor islands of Darwin and Wolf, food can be scarce, and traditional sources like seeds and insects are not always sufficient or available. Over time, this species adapted to an unconventional dietary supplement: the blood of large seabirds, particularly Nazca Boobies (Sula granti), which nest in huge colonies on the rocky cliffs of Darwin and Wolf.
These finches use their sharp beaks to peck at the skin of boobies, often targeting areas where the birds have preening gaps or exposed wounds. Surprisingly, the boobies rarely react aggressively, possibly because the finches also play a beneficial role by removing parasites from their feathers. This mutualistic-turned-parasitic relationship is a fascinating example of how species can push the boundaries of adaptation in extreme environments.
More than just vampires
Despite their eerie feeding habits, Vampire Ground-Finches are not exclusively hematophagous (blood-feeding). In fact, their bloodsucking feeding strategy is largely limited to the dry season, when seeds, invertebrates and nectar are less available.
In the rainy season, the bulk of their diet is made up of seeds and insects. Somewhat unusually (although not as unusual as their bloodsucking!), on Wolf Island, the Vampire Ground-Finch also feeds on nectar from the Galápagos Prickly Pear (Opuntia galapageia). This may also be due to the lack of fresh water on their home islands.
Although it represents a small part of their diet, the Vampire Ground-Finch’s reliance on blood as a nutritional supplement serves to highlight the extreme pressures that can shape survival strategies in isolated ecosystems. As we’ve said before, the Galápagos Islands are like a living university of evolution and adaptation!
Conservation and scientific interest
As part of the Galápagos National Park and Marine Reserve, Darwin and Wolf Islands remain well-protected, though climate change and invasive species pose ongoing threats to the fragile ecosystem. The Vampire Ground-Finch continues to be a subject of research, offering insights into evolutionary biology, species adaptation, and ecological balance.
For those lucky enough to take a birding trip to Galápagos, the islands of Darwin and Wolf stand as living laboratories of evolution, where nature continues to push the boundaries of survival in the most unexpected ways.
For those inspired to witness the remarkable Vampire Ground-Finch and explore the secluded islands of Darwin and Wolf firsthand, consider joining the Darwin’s Endemics birding cruise to Galápagos offered by Birding Experience. This meticulously designed 9-day expedition provides birding enthusiasts with the unparalleled opportunity to observe nearly all endemic bird species of the Galápagos, including the Vampire Ground-Finch.
Authorized by the Galápagos National Park to access remote locations, this unique birding cruise ensures an intimate and comprehensive exploration of the archipelago’s avian wonders.
For more details and booking information, check out our special Galápagos birding cruise “Darwin’s Endemics”. You can also discover all our birding trips to Galápagos.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become one of a very short list of birders to have seen the Vampire Ground-Finch!
By Chris Bell, whose first trip to Darwin and Wolf was love at first bite.
