Fringilla polatzeki
The Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki) is a striking passerine bird, endemic to the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Approximately 16 cm (6.3 in) in length, it is slightly larger than the ubiquitous Common Chaffinch. Adult males are instantly recognizable by their vibrant slate-blue to blue-grey head, mantle, back, and rump, contrasting sharply with blackish wings adorned with two prominent white wing-bars. Their underparts are whitish, and they possess a stout, da...
Exclusively found in the mature, native Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis) forests of Gran Canaria, primarily at elevations between 1000 and 1900 meters above sea level.
Primarily granivorous, specializing in the nutrient-rich seeds of the Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis), supplemented seasonally by insects, especially during the breeding period, and other plant material. Forages mainly by extracting seeds from cones and gleaning from the forest floor.
Diurnal in habit, the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch spends much of its active time foraging on the ground among pine needles or gleaning seeds directly from pine cones in the canopy. Males establish and rigorously defend territories during the breeding season, performing elaborate song displays cha...
The Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch is an insular endemic, found exclusively on the island of Gran Canaria within the Canary Islands archipelago, Spain. Its historical range on the island was likely more extensive, but it is now severely restricted to the remnant mature Canary Island pine (Pinus cana...
Critically Endangered
- The Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch is one of the world's rarest finches, endemic to just a single island. - It was only elevated to full species status in 2016, having previously been considered a subspecies of its Tenerife counterpart. - Its population is critically endangered, estimated to be ju...