Camarhynchus
Genus of birds
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Camarhynchus is a genus of birds in the tanager family Thraupidae. All species of Camarhynchus are endemic to the Galápagos Islands, and together with related genera, they are collectively known as Darwin's finches.[1] Formerly classified in the bunting and American sparrow family Emberizidae, more recent molecular genetic studies have shown it to belong in the tanager family.
| Camarhynchus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Medium tree finch (Camarhynchus pauper) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Thraupidae |
| Genus: | Camarhynchus Gould, 1837 |
| Type species | |
| Camarhynchus psittacula Gould, 1837 | |
Taxonomy and species list
The genus Camarhynchus was introduced in 1837 by English ornithologist John Gould, with the large tree finch as the type species.[2] The name combines the Ancient Greek kamara meaning "arch" or "vault" with rhunkhos meaning "bill".[3] The members of the genus form part of a group collectively known as Darwin's finches.[4] Although traditionally placed with the buntings and New World sparrows in the family Emberizidae,[5] molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that Darwin's finches are members of the subfamily Coerebinae within the tanager family Thraupidae.[6] The genus contains five species.[7]
| Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Camarhynchus parvulus | Small tree finch | Galapagos Islands. |
| Camarhynchus pauper | Medium tree finch | Galápagos Islands where it is only found on Floreana Island |
 | Camarhynchus psittacula | Large tree finch | Galapagos Islands |
 | Camarhynchus pallidus | Woodpecker finch | Galapagos Islands |
 | Camarhynchus heliobates | Mangrove finch | Galápagos Islands |
The vegetarian finch (Platyspiza crassirostris) has sometimes been included in this genus.
