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For many of those interested in birds, bird watching tours to the
Galapagos represent a holy grail, a chance to travel in the footsteps
of Darwin and see for themselves the incredible diversity of animal life
on the islands that led to his development of the theory of evolution.
Nowadays part of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are an invaluable
treasure trove of biodiversity. South America offers visitors some truly
spectacular bird watching opportunities, but the Galapagos offer
something really out of the ordinary. Here is a brief rundown of some of
the most eagerly anticipated birds you might get to see if you choose
to go on bird watching tours to the Galapagos Islands:
Galapagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis): A vulnerable breed endemic to the Galapagos Islands, there is believed to be only around 150 breeding pairs. As with other birds of prey the species is subject to strong sexual dimorphism, meaning that the male is significantly smaller than the female. The adult is generally a brown/black colour, and an apex predator, the Galapagos Hawk feeds on insects, lizards, snakes and rodents. Due to the proximity of the Galapagos Islands to the equator, there is no defined mating season, and the bird will mate at intervals throughout the year.
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens): One of the most obscure looking breeds, frigate birds are likely to be a abundant sight on bird watching tours to the Galapagos Islands. With their distinctive red chest pouches that the males inflate during the breeding season, the birds are easy to see - a feat made even more straight forward by their huge 215cm (85 inch) wingspan. Despite its inflatable pouch, the bird is particularly unseaworthy, and uses its long hooked beak to fish for food in the sea.
Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii): A bird that lives on islands around the Pacific Ocean, the Blue-Footed Booby is particularly prevalent on the Galapagos Islands. Called Boobies (from the Spanish bobo meaning fool or clown) because of their perceived clumsiness, the birds are known for their fearless plunges into the sea from the cliffs in search of food. They are also notable for their loud mating calls.
Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi): One of the best examples of the unusual evolution that has occurred due to the Galapagos' isolation, the Flightless Cormorant is one of the gems of any bird watching tours to the island. One of the world's rarest birds, with a population of only around 1500 individuals, the creature has lost its ability to fly - no doubt causing further pressure on its numbers.
Galapagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis): A vulnerable breed endemic to the Galapagos Islands, there is believed to be only around 150 breeding pairs. As with other birds of prey the species is subject to strong sexual dimorphism, meaning that the male is significantly smaller than the female. The adult is generally a brown/black colour, and an apex predator, the Galapagos Hawk feeds on insects, lizards, snakes and rodents. Due to the proximity of the Galapagos Islands to the equator, there is no defined mating season, and the bird will mate at intervals throughout the year.
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens): One of the most obscure looking breeds, frigate birds are likely to be a abundant sight on bird watching tours to the Galapagos Islands. With their distinctive red chest pouches that the males inflate during the breeding season, the birds are easy to see - a feat made even more straight forward by their huge 215cm (85 inch) wingspan. Despite its inflatable pouch, the bird is particularly unseaworthy, and uses its long hooked beak to fish for food in the sea.
Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii): A bird that lives on islands around the Pacific Ocean, the Blue-Footed Booby is particularly prevalent on the Galapagos Islands. Called Boobies (from the Spanish bobo meaning fool or clown) because of their perceived clumsiness, the birds are known for their fearless plunges into the sea from the cliffs in search of food. They are also notable for their loud mating calls.
Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi): One of the best examples of the unusual evolution that has occurred due to the Galapagos' isolation, the Flightless Cormorant is one of the gems of any bird watching tours to the island. One of the world's rarest birds, with a population of only around 1500 individuals, the creature has lost its ability to fly - no doubt causing further pressure on its numbers.
Byron Palacios is a Tour Manager for Naturetrek, a tour operator specialising in expert-led natural history and bird watching tours worldwide. Naturetrek bring over 25 years of experience to their bird watching tours in some of the most spectacular regions on Earth.
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