Galapagos Finches
Facts about Galapagos Finches
Also known as the Darwin's Finches, there are 13 different types of these finches. They all share the same habits and characteristics except for one- all have 13 different beaks. The differences in their beaks might be the most important aspect of their survival. Two different documented examples of that survival occurred in the late 1970s and mid 1980s. A large drought affected the island is 1977, and seeds became scarce. The finches with the largest, toughest beaks were able to eat larger seeds that weren't normally a part of their diet. They survived. The finches who had smaller beaks couldn't break open the seeds, and they died.
The future of the Galapagos Finches
Overtime, the finches could develop longer, stronger beaks to break open tougher seeds, and they will live longer to reproduce. Sooner or later, there will be competition to live, because there will still be multiple species of Galapagos Finches, but limited resources to live and thrive in the environment, which will eventually lead to survival of the fittest.