Birds of the Galápagos Islands 2022
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Small Ground Finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) male
This is one of the famous "Darwin's Finches). When Charles Darwin visited the Galápagos Islands he noticed that finches on different islands had different shaped beaks depending on the foods they found on their particular island. This had a great influence on his theory of evolution. The Spanish name for this bird is "Pinzón de Darwin fuliginoso"
Small Tree Finch (Camarhynchus parvulus) female
These little finches rarely sit still, I was happy she stayed on the branch long enough for me to get a good photo. Spanish name - "Pinzón de Darwin chico"
Golden Warbler (Setophaga petechia) - male
These beautiful little birds are quite common in the Galápagos, we saw them in the forests and on the beaches. Spanish name - Reinita de manglar
Galápagos Dove (Zenaida galapagoensis)
These lovely birds are endemic to the Galápagos Islands, they are found nowhere else. Spanish name - "Zenaida de Galápagos"
Galápagos Mockingbird (Mimus parvulus)
There are different species of Mockingbirds on different islands, similar to the Darwin's Finches. Spanish name - "Sinsonte de Galápagos"
Flightless Cormorant (Nannopterum harrisi ) Spanish name- "Cormorán mancón")
As the common name indicates, these birds have lost the ability to fly. Their wings are so small they are useless for flight. What they lack in flight, they make up for in incredible swimming skills, they are very fast underwater. Light their northern relatives, they swim at the surface with just their head and neck showing. This bird is endemic to the Galápagos Islands. Flightless Cormorants are fish eaters and nest on the rocks.
Flightless Cormorant (Nannopterum harrisi )
This bird has just emerged from the water.
Flightless Cormorant (Nannopterum harrisi )
This photo shows the stubby wings.
Flightless Cormorant (Nannopterum harrisi )
When the Cormorants come back to land they preen and dry their wings.
Galápagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) Spaish namd - "Pingüino de Galápagos "
Galápagos Penguins are endemic to the islands. They are the second smallest species of penguin and are the farthest northern species. They are unable to fly, but they are superb swimmers. It was fun to watch them zooming around as we were snorkeling! They eat fish.
I spotted this small colony of penguins as I was snorkeling near Isla Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat Island).
Lava Gull (Leucophaeus fuliginosa) Spanish name - "Gaviota fuliginosa"
The Lava Gull is another endemic species to the Galápagos Islands. This was the only one we saw, it was getting an early morning bath!
Striated Heron (Butorides striata) Spanish name - "Garcilla estriada"
This is the smallest of the herons in the Galápagos.
Lava Heron (Butorides sundevalli) Spanish name - "Garza lava"
Our guide told us that many animals and plants are named "Galápagos", "Darwin", or "Lava". This bird is gray like the lava rocks it walks along as it hunts for small fish and crustaceans. Lava Herons are endemic to the Galápagos Islands, found nowhere else.
Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii)
The Blue-footed Booby is one the most popular birds found in the Galápagos Islands, its likeness and blue feet are found on T-shirts, hats, and many other souvenirs! They get their name from the funny dance they perform during mating season. We were there in July, too late to experience this activity. The animals next to the bird are Marine Iguanas. Spanish name - "Piquero camanay"
Boobies are fishing birds, they spot fish at the surface of the ocean and dive beak first into the water at blinding speed!
We spotted this bird and a couple more on a rock while on a panga ride away from the catamaran. These boobies are not as common as the Blue-footed species. Spanish name - "Piquero nazca"
Brown Pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis)
These large fish eaters catch fish in their flexible pouch. Spanish name - "Pelícano pardo"
It is amazing to watch Pelicans skim over the surface of the ocean without touching the water!
Our guide had us line up for a group photograph. Suddenly this young pelican flew down to the beach and walked up to us!
Galápagos Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia) Spanish name - "Fardela gris parda"
These birds fly very fast over the surface of the water, I had a hard time taking a photo.
It was common to see these Petrels on the surface of the ocean.
White-vented Storm Petrel (Oceanites gracilis) Spanish name - "Paíño de Galápagos"
I enjoyed watching these seabirds as they "danced" on the surface of the ocean in the calm of morning. They are hunting for small fish.
