Galapagos Birds

There are 29 species of land birds living in the Galapagos Islands (22 endemic) and 19 species of sea birds that breed in Galapagos (5 endemic).

Waved Albatross
Diomedea irrorata

The largest Galapagos bird with a wingspan of over 2 metres and weighing up to 4 kilos.
Predators/Threats - During the Nino year 1982-83, the majority of nests had been abandoned so great climatic change may affect their ability to successfully produce offspring. They breed from April to June, laying a single white egg about the size of a billiard ball, and they mate for life.

Galapagos Penguin
Spheniscus mendiculus

These birds are approximately 35cm tall and feed on small fish. Their main predators are: Killer Whales, Red Crabs, Hawks, Short Eared Owls and Ground Snakes. This is the only penguin found in the northern hemisphere. It is able to survive due to the cool water caused by the Humbolt Current. Threats to Penguins include the Rice Rat and they are also threatened by the fishing activity - directly, by being caught in nets, or indirectly by the depletion of food stocks.

Frigatebirds
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) and Great Frigatebird (Fregata Minor)

Also known as Vultures of the Sea, these birds have the largest wingspan to bodyweight ratio of any bird. The Great Frigatebird is slightly smaller than the Magnificent and when the male is ready to mate he pumps air into his red pouch. The birds eat fish, occasionally by cleptoparasitism, which means they steal from other birds. They also eat offal and fish waste so are often seen near boats. Predators/Threats: Wild dogs and cats.

Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis

This is the smallest member of the pelican family with a wingspan of 200cm. Fish are normally caught by diving from the air, but they also eat waste from fishing boats and attack other birds to pirate food. These birds have large bills which expand to contain and and transport fish. The bird will take in a few litres of saltwater which is ejected later through holes in the beak before it swallows the fish.
Predators/Threats - Young may die of starvation when they are unable to learn the scoop-fishing technique quickly enough.

Blue Footed Boobies
Sula nebouxii

These birds have very distinctive blue feet and very long tails with a wingspan of about 150cm. Their long tails allow them to turn quickly in water.
Predators/Threats - If food is in short supply then there will be sibling competition and the weakest may die of starvation or be kicked out of the nest.

Nazca Boobies
Sula dactylactra

This is the largest of the Boobies, with a wingspan of 150-183cm. They are rarely found inshore and get their name from the blackish area of skin around their bill. The adult has a dazzling white plumage.
Predators/Threats - Fraticide (killed by sibling) occurs even when there is plenty of food.

Red Footed Boobies
Sula sula

The smallest of the Boobies with a wingspan of 137cm. It is recognizable by its blue bill, red feet and brown colouring. It is seen less often than the other two Boobies, as it lives on the outlying islands.

Flightless Cormorant
Nannopterum harrisi (endemic)

Only about 800 pairs of these birds remain. They are distinctive to look at as they have bright turquoise eyes and very small wings. Why do they have such small wings? Initially these birds had no predators, however, if wild dogs are introduced to the islands that they live on, it will be a great threat to them. Furthermore El Nino led to a significant decrease in numbers.

Galapagos Hawk
Buteo galapagoeonsis (endemic)

There are only 200 pairs left and they are the rarest in the world. They have extremely good eyesight, especially for spotting movement, and feed on lizards, iguanas, snakes, finches, boobies, flycatchers and dead animals, for example sea lions and marine iguanas. They have no natural predators, but as they are very tame they have often been successfully hunted by settlers. Reproduction is by Cooperative polyandry (this is where one female mates with up to 4 males, and the males then take care of their nest).

Owls
Short eared (Asio flammeus) and Barn (Tyto alba) - both endemic

The Short eared owl is a diurnal hunter (owls in Galapagos hunt by day, rather than being nocturnal - hunting by night. However, if there are Galapagos Hawks present, the birds then sometimes become nocturnal) and eats rats, land and sea birds. The Barn owl can be identified as it is smaller, has a heart shaped facial disc and completely feathered legs.
Threats - these birds are hunted by humans as they prey on chickens etc.

Vermilion Flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus - endemic

Only about 14cm long with a bright red crown. It eats insects, caught in flight, or from the ground.

Swallow Tailed Gull
Creagrus furcatus - endemic

The Swallow-tailed gull has a wingspan of about 130cm, it eats fish and squid and tends to feed at night time when there is less competition. It has a red eye ring which acts as a sort of sonar and an enlarged eye. Do you know what is unique about this gull?
Predators/threats - Young chicks are often attacked by frigatebirds and short-eared owls.

Lava Gull
Larus fuliginosus - endemic

The rarest gull in the world, only 400 pairs remain. It eats crabs, small marine iguanas, dead fish and scavenges on the tide line and around fishing boats. It has a loud shriek which can be mistaken for a human laugh.

Darwin Finches

There are 13 species of Darwins finch in Galapagos. For more information, please click here.

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