Most of these islands are inhabited by its close relative, the Española cactus finch.

Its natural habitats are dry scrubland and woodland.

The common cactus finch is one of nine species in the genus Geospiza, part of a group of closely related species known as Darwin's finches.

[2] There are four recognized subspecies: Found in the arid zone of many of the islands in the Galápagos, the common cactus finch is seldom far from areas of Opuntia cactus.

Birds, Mammals and Reptiles of the Galápagos Islands (2nd ed.).