Considered the biggest birds in the whole archipelago, the albatross can be found mostly during their mating season. Their wingspan consists of about 240 cm. Most of their population is found on Española for mating and nesting. Its full intense yellow peak and ivory neck recognize the Galapagos albatross. Observing their mating ritual and how they play with their peaks for courtship is a unique ritual that you can witness with astonishment.
The most common species in the Galapagos Islands yet mostly rare in the rest of the world can be watched near the shores where they usually are nesting. The most numerous colonies of blue-footed boobies are concentrated in the islands of Espanola and North Seymour. Curious enough, the female is bigger than the male, and their weight is between 3 and 5 pounds. Their size is less than 3 feet tall and their wingspan is 5 feet.
This kind of bird is usually found in tropical oceans, and breed colonially for the most part, nearby the shores of islands. There are two kinds of morphs among this species. The white morphs and the black morphs of red footed boobies can be found in the archipelago at random. Nevertheless, the most predominantly kind in the Galapagos Islands is the latter than the former. This kind of bird is considered powerful and a skillful flyer, nonetheless they are also recognized as clumsy during their takeoff and landings. Genovese is the island where this booby is more likely to be found.
The Magnificent frigate is usually bigger in size than the great frigate. Some of the characteristics that feature this species are its purple feathers, whose sound can be perceived more like a drum. This bird is known as “One man war”, due to its rakish lines when flying and aerial piracy to other birds. It has a size of 31 inches long, and a wingspan of 85 inches. Usually, the male´s black feathers become purple when the sunrays are reflected upon, along with a scarlet reddish throat punch that is inflated like a balloon in their breeding season. You could find them nesting in the islands of Isabel, North Seymour, Genovesa, and San Cristobal.
The Magnificent frigate is usually bigger in size than the great frigate. Some of the characteristics that feature this species are its purple feathers, whose sound can be perceived more like a drum. This bird is known as “One man war”, due to its rakish lines when flying and aerial piracy to other birds. It has a size of 31 inches long, and a wingspan of 85 inches. Usually, the male´s black feathers become purple when the sunrays are reflected upon, along with a scarlet reddish throat punch that is inflated like a balloon in their breeding season. You could find them nesting in the islands of Isabel, North Seymour, Genovesa, and San Cristobal.
The Galapagos Hawk is another endemic species and its size is similar to its closest relative from North America such as the Swaison´s hawk. It has a wingspan of 120 cm, and a size of 55 cm long from beak to tail. Normally, when this particular kind of hawk is in its youth, it shows a light brown color and by the time it has achieved its adulthood its feathers are black. The main characteristic of the Galapagos hawk is its broad wings and tails. Due to two and only main seasons available at the archipelago (dry and wet seasons), the hawk has a regular mating season. The Galapagos hawk is considered as an Apex predator with an outstanding sight. This kind of bird relies on insects and lava lizards, snakes and rodents. They can be found all over the archipelago, although there is a recent concern due to its declining population. According to a recent census there might be available about 150 pairs.
Leave a Comment