There is an unusual diversity of species in the equatorial islands of the Galapagos. Bird types normally found in the Southern Hemisphere co-exist with tropical and northern species. There are penguins and albatross next to pelicans and flamingoes, all thriving on the rugged lava flows.
All the species listed here are endemic to the Galapagos; that is, they are found nowhere else in the world. These islands have 28 endemic species of birds, 61 resident species, and a total of 152 avian species recorded there.
Galapagos birds are more fearless than their mainland cousins, and one of the attractions of birding there is being able to quietly get close to observe birds that would normally only be seen through binoculars or a scope. Birds like hawks, boobies, cormorants, penguins and albatross, all appear unconcerned at birders watching from nearby.
Birding these islands has a whole new set of hazards. As well as being careful to keep your distance, you have to watch your step, as land and marine iguanas, large crabs and lava lizards rest along the paths. Prickly pear cactus and lava cactus also have to be avoided with care, but the stark vegetation is another fascinating feature of these islands’ attraction.
When you visit Galapagos, be sure to take a wildlife field guide, so that you can identify not only the birds, but also the animals there, from iguanas, lizards, turtles and tortoises, to the sea lions, snakes, and sea-life.
Flightless Cormorant
Top of my highlight list is the Flightless Cormorant, unique to the Galapagos. At first glance this looks like any other black cormorant species, until you take a closer look at those tiny, tatty little vestigal wings. They build a bulky nest of seaweed on the rocky shoreline and feed by diving and foraging close to shore. Flightless Cormorants waddle awkwardly on land, but look fast and agile in the water. They are found mostly in small colonies around the northern coast of Isabella. Conservation status is listed as Vulnerable with an estimated 7-800 pairs.
Galapagos Penguin
In the Galapagos you can encounter a penguin, a seal and a turtle while snorkelling and sometimes all in the same place. Galapagos penguins are found on the rocky coasts, usually roosting in singles or small groups. A small penguin, at 48 - 52 cm, they are uncommon, and nest in burrows or rocky crevices close to shore, breeding at any time of year, depending on food availability. Like many of the Galapagos pelagic species, their population suffers in El Nino years. Conservation status is vulnerable with a population that varies from several hundred to several thousand, depending on the climate fluctuations.
Waved Albatross
These large albatross dominate the island of Espangola, the only island where they breed. The total population is estimated at 50,000 - 70,000 with about 12,000 breeding pairs nesting on the island at different times during the breeding season that extends from March to January. Waved Albatross have an impressive bill snapping and rattling courtship display at the breeding colony, where they nest on the ground in a rough nest of small sticks. The birds launch from the cliff-tops and are accomplished fliers, taking off with ease and gliding effortlessly on the winds. Despite their numbers, they are classified as “near-threatened” because of the concern that they breed in only one place.
Galapagos Hawk
The Galapagos Hawk is found from the coast to the highlands, but breeds only in the lowlands, nesting at any time of year with the peak breeding in June and July.
It feeds by both predation and scavenging, and is often seen soaring on updraughts and occasionally hovering. This large, dark brown hawk (55cm long with a 120cm wingspan), used to be found throughout the Galapagos Islands, but is now extinct on five islands. There are about 130 known breeding territories, although these are difficult to measure. Total population is estimated at 7-900 individuals of which 3-400 are juveniles. The Galapagos Hawk’s Conservation Status is listed as Vulnerable.
Lava Gull
The Lava Gull is a tide-line scavenger, rarely seen on the sea. It is easy to distinguish from other gulls in the Galapagos, as it is a dark sooty grey with a dark black head and white eyelids, and paler grey on the underparts. It is widely distributed around the islands, but reasonably rare with only about 400 pairs. Breeding can occur at any time of year when the pair nests singly on the shore-zone. Conservation Status is Vulnerable.
Most birders are keen to see all the endemic birds of the Galapagos on a visit. Some, like 12 of the 13 species of finch, or the Brown Pelican, are relatively easy to see with a little effort. The most sought after of the remaining endemics are the four species of Galapagos Mockingbirds, the Vermillion and Fly-catchers, the Short-eared Owl, Yellow Warbler, Mangrove Finch, Dark-rumped Petrel, Lava Heron, the White-tailed Pintail duck and the Galapagos Rail. Favourites include the engaging Blue-footed, Red-footed and Nazca Boobies that are numerous throughout the islands.
A handy reference guide is 'Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands' by Andy Swash and Rob Still. Published by Yale University Press.
