Tume-maasirk, Geospiza fortis

Tume-maasirk on seemnetoiduline lind, kes elutseb Galápagose saartel ning kuulub Darwini kuulsate vintide hulka. Tugeva, koonusekujulise nokaga suudab ta purustada seemneid, kuid vajadusel toitub ka putukatest. Just Darwini vintide (sirkide?) noka suuruse ja kuju erinevused on aidanud teadlastel mõista, kuidas looduslik valik viib evolutsioonini muutuvate keskkonnatingimuste tagajärjel. Foto sai tehtud Santa Cruzi saarel, Galápagose saarestikus, Ecuadoris.

The Medium Ground-Finch is a seed-eating bird native to the Galápagos Islands and is one of Darwin's famous finches. It uses its strong, conical bill to crack seeds, although it also feeds on insects. Differences in bill size and shape of the Darwin finches have helped scientists understand how natural selection drives evolution in response to changing environmental conditions. This photo was taken on Santa Cruz Island, in the Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador.