Consumption of the lichen Roccella Gracilis by the large ground-finch Geospiza Magnirostris on the island of Daphne Major (Galápagos)

Abstract

[eng] This note reports a trophic interaction of a passerine consuming lichens. On the islet of Daphne Major (Galápagos Archipelago), we made five observations of the Large Ground-Finch Geospiza magnirostris eating the fruticose lichen Roccella gracilis. This is an example of how island birds broaden their feeding niche in resource-poor environments.