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Many travelers to the Galapagos Islands hope to see a hammerhead or whale shark gracefully plowing the waters around them while they dive. And these Enchanted Isles are the perfect place to have this experience.

Sharks are of the elasmobranch class of fish, which also includes rays, skates and chimeras (ghost sharks). They have a cartilaginous (instead of bone) skeleton, five to seven gill slits on the sides of the head, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Sharks are an ancient species, with their first ancestors appearing in the fossil record over 420 million years ago. Modern sharks emerged about 100 million years ago. With a few freshwater exceptions, all live in the oceans.

Sharks are a highly migratory fish, and with monitoring projects, their movements are just beginning to be understood. Not much is known about their actions in the Galapagos, though in recent years, exciting discoveries have been made about these giants of the sea in the islands.

Of the nearly three dozen types of sharks found in the Galapagos Islands, only twelve are very common residents or migrants. Of these, five are most often seen during snorkeling and scuba diving expeditions. If you want to see massive shark schools and are an experienced scuba diver, consider booking a seven- to ten-day liveaboard expedition to Darwin and Wolf islands.

 

Scalloped hammerhead shark

One of the Galapagos resident sharks many tourists want to see is the scalloped hammerhead. This unique-looking shark has a large, hammer-shaped head that is scalloped along the front edge. Its eyes are at either end of the “hammer.” It is silvery gray to grayish-brown, and white on the underside.

Scalloped hammerheads swim at depths of three to 182 meters (10-600 feet). They are migratory, moving on to the Coco Islands off the coast of Costa Rica. As well, in June they migrate in large schools to the northern Galapagos Islands. In 2017, a scalloped hammerhead shark nursery was discovered in the Galapagos.

Smooth hammerhead and great hammerhead sharks are rarely seen in the Galapagos Islands.

The scalloped hammerhead shark is the symbol of the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

• Scientific name – Sphyrna lewini
• Spanish name – tiburón martillo común
• Length – 1.5-4.2 meters (5-14 feet)
• Best islands to see them – Wolf and Darwin islands; also Gordon Rocks, north of Santa Cruz Island
• Best months to see them – December-May

 

White-tipped reef shark

The white-tipped reef shark is the most common shark species in the Galapagos Islands. These non-aggressive sharks are often found in shallow waters. They are slender and grey, with white tips on the first dorsal and upper caudal fin. Their snouts are rounded. The white-tipped reef shark feeds at night and rests during the day. They breed in the Galapagos archipelago.

• Scientific name – Triaenodon obesus
• Spanish name – tintorera
• Length – 1.4-2.4 meters (4.6-8 feet)
• Best islands to see them – Common throughout the archipelago; Las Tintoreras islets near Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island
• Best months to see them – Year-round

 

Black-tipped reef shark

As its name indicates, the tips of this shark’s fins are black. The upper body is greyish brown and the underside white. Its snout is blunt and rounded. The black-tipped reef shark prefers warm, shallow coastal waters.  This reef shark is small and quite timid. It breeds in the Galapagos Islands, often giving birth in mangroves.  It can be confused with the black-tip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus).

• Scientific name – Carcharhinus melanopterus
• Spanish name – tiburón punta negra de arrecife
• Length – to 1.9 meters (2 feet)
• Best islands to see them – common throughout the archipelago
• Best months to see them – year-round

 

Whale shark

Whale sharks are not only the largest of the shark species, but also the largest fish species – and not at all related to whales. On the back and sides, they are blueish-grey with white spots that are unique to each individual. White lines run between the spots. The underside is whitish. The broad, flat head has small eyes just behind the mouth.

Unlike most sharks, the whale shark eats primarily plankton and only occasionally small fish. It is seen at depths of two to 20 meters (6-60 feet). Even though it is not known to birth in the Galapagos Islands, recent investigations show that a large number of pregnant whale sharks spend time near Darwin and Wolf islands.

• Scientific name – Rhincodon typus
• Spanish name – tiburón ballena
• Length – 10-12 meters, maximum 18 meters (33-39 feet, maximum 59 feet)
• Best islands to see them – Wolf and Darwin islands
• Best months to see them – July-September

 

Galapagos shark

Galapagos shark can be mistaken for dusky shark or grey reef shark, but it does have several distinguishing features. Its snout is wide and round, and the tall pectoral fin is slightly rounded. This is one of the larger sharks you’ll see in the archipelago.

It is most commonly encountered in shallow waters (2 meters / 7 feet) along coral reefs and rocky bottoms. It can also be seen as deep as 80 meters (263 feet), though juveniles prefer waters less than 25 meters (82 feet). Despite its name, the Galapagos shark is found in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It owes its name to being first discovered in the Galapagos archipelago. It breeds in the Galapagos Islands.

• Scientific name – Carcharhinus galapagensis
• Spanish name – tiburón de Galápagos
• Length – 10-12 feet (3-3.6 meters)
• Best islands to see them – northern islands; also Gordon Rocks
• Best months to see them – year-round

 

Other sharks you might see in the Galapagos Islands during your underwater explorations are black-tip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus), silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) and tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvie).

 

Threats to Sharks of the Galapagos Islands

Sharks inspire awe and even fear in many people. These masters of the sea, though, are very important for the health of ocean environments. They are at the top of the food chain, with only humans posing a threat to their existence. Sharks may be accidentally caught in fishing nets – though humans most prize their fins which are considered a delicacy and aphrodisiac in some Asian traditions.

Fishing within the Galapagos Marine Reserve is strictly controlled. Still, in August 2017, the Chinese ship Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999 was intercepted in the reserve with 6,600 near-extinct and endangered sharks from the Galapagos aboard. The 20-man crew was tried and convicted, resulting in four-year prison sentences and a multi-million dollar fine.

Another major threat to sharks in the Galapagos Islands is the El Niño phenomenon. When an El Niño develops, ocean waters increase. This warming means there is less food for ocean dwellers – not only for sharks, but also whales, marine iguanas and seabirds. This decreased food supply means less breeding and a decrease in population. If the El Niño is severe, populations may starve to death.

 

Shark Conservation in the Galapagos

Because the Galapagos Islands are vast and secluded, over thirty varieties of sharks find refuge here. In 2016, the Ecuadorian government declared 38,000 square kilometers (15,000 square miles) around Darwin and Wolf islands a marine sanctuary to protect the high concentration of sharks in that area of the archipelago.

Several Galapagos research projects, supported by the Galapagos National Park and international agencies like the Charles Darwin Foundation, are revealing more about these masters of the sea, and new species are still being discovered, as in 2012 when the deep-water catshark (Bythaelurus giddingsi) was caught.

A project funded by National Geographic is monitoring the movements of sharks. Scientists have found that some important shark species migrate between the Galapagos, Malpelo Island (off the coast of Colombia) and the Cocos Islands (off the coast of Costa Rica). A swimway sanctuary has been proposed for this area of the eastern Pacific. Another fantastic discovery of this project is a scalloped hammerhead nursery in the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Whale Shark Project (GWSP) has found that a high number of pregnant whale sharks pass through the archipelago, especially near Wolf and Darwin islands. In 2017, scientists successfully conducted ultrasounds on these females.

Non-scientists are also being called to action to protect sharks in the Galapagos Islands. Local educational programs are helping Galapagos residents to understand the importance of these creatures in maintaining the environmental health of the archipelago. As well, shark researchers are asking people like you to become citizen scientists to help monitor this species.

 

Close Encounters of the Shark Kind in the Galapagos Islands

Shark attacks in the Galapagos Islands are very rare – especially considering that tens of thousands of people snorkel, swim and scuba dive in the marine reserve every year. The reason attacks may be so unusual is that Galapagos seas still are very pristine, guaranteeing sharks plenty of food.

According to Shark Attack Data, only seven shark attacks in the Galapagos have been reported since 1954, none of which have resulted in death. Two involved fishing accidents and four attacks were against surfers. The species of shark is unknown in most of the incidences, though in two, the Galapagos shark species was involved. This is considered to be the most aggressive of the sharks found in the archipelago.

If any close encounter of the shark kind were to occur, the Galapagos National Park will investigate the situation and issue any protective measures needed. Tour companies may also temporarily substitute snorkeling with other activities, like panga rides or kayaking, in the affected area.

But what measures can you personally take while you are in sharks’ natural habitat? Here are a few tips from shark experts:

• Avoid splashing about in the water, both upon entering from the panga or while swimming.
• As much fun as it is to swim with sea lions, reconsider swimming near colonies during pupping season. Sharks hunt after the young sea lion pups, and might think your flipper is a fin.
• Avoid areas where there is fishing.
• Do not enter signed no-swimming areas.
• Avoid wearing shiny jewelry or a brightly colored swimsuit, as you may be mistaken for a fish.
• Do not enter the water if you are bleeding, have a wound or are menstruating. (Sharks have an acute sense of smell, and blood can attract them.)

 

Because of the Galapagos Islands’ pristine environment, you will undoubtedly fulfill your dream of seeing these graceful sea creatures during your Galapagos vacation.

 

Photo credit: Anthony Patterson

Not only do cold-blooded reptiles and birds inhabit the Galapagos Islands. Mammals – from mice to men, from sea lions to whales – also live on these isles.

Sixty species of mammals have been recorded in the Galapagos Islands. Of these, 16 are endemic or native, three are native and 13 are migratory. Introduced species number 16. Eight endemic species are extinct; five disappeared from the Galapagos landscape before the arrival of humans, and are known only by their fossils. As with reptiles and birds, mammals may be found at sea and on land.

More details about each of these mammals may be found in Galapagos natural history guides.

 

Galapagos Sea Mammals

Most Galapagos mammals are found in the waters surrounding the islands, migrants who seasonally swim through, leaping near the bow of your cruise ship. These include several types of whales and dolphins. Others, like sea lions, are found on land and at sea. You may find yourself swimming with a playful pup!

 

Whales

Whales are Cetaceans. They differ from land mammals in that they do not have fur or hair. Instead, to protect them from frigid ocean temperatures, they have a thick layer of blubber. This feature made them important in 19th century industry. During that era, hundreds of whaling ships plied the Galapagos seas in search of these valuable marine mammals.

Your first sign of a whale may be their blow, when they send a stream of water into the air. They usually swim in small groups of two to ten. These marine mammals fall into two groups: baleen whales, which have a fringed bone to filter foods like plankton, and toothed whales.

As far as is known, whales are strictly migrants in the Galapagos Islands. None are known to breed or give birth in the marine reserve.

The most prevalent whales in the Galapagos are the baleen. Frequently seen inshore and offshore are Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) and the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Less often spotted are fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata).

Two species of sperm whales, another type of baleen whale, are found in the Galapagos archipelago. The more common one is the dwarf sperm whale (pygmy sperm whale, Kogia simus). The sperm whale (Balaenoptera borealis) is rarer.

Toothed whales that migrate through the Galapagos Islands are Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), both occasionally seen in the marine reserve.

• Spanish name – ballena
• Best islands to see them – throughout the archipelago, best especially in the west
• Best time of year to see them – June-November

 

Dolphins

Dolphins also are cetaceans, but are smaller and sleeker. You’ll see them leaping alongside your ship during your Galapagos cruise. They are fast and acrobatic swimmers. As far as is known, no dolphin species breeds in the Galapagos.

Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is grey above and light grey to white along its underside. The dorsal fin is black. Adults are 1.7-2.4 meters (5.5-7.8 feet) in length. They may be seen singly, or in groups of up to 2,000 individuals. These are the most commonly seen dolphin in the Galapagos Islands.

Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates) is nearly twice the size of the common dolphin (1.9-3.9 meters / 6.2-13 feet). It is a uniform great, sometimes a little lighter on the underside. Its forehead bulges. These may be seen in groups of up to 25 dolphins.

Although also called killer whale, the orca (Orcinus orca) is the largest member of the dolphin family, reaching 5-9 meters (16-30 feet) in length. It is black with distinctive white marks on the belly, and a tall dorsal fin. It swims in groups of two to thirty. In the Galapagos, they hunt other sea mammals, like the sea lions, sperm whales and Bryde’s whales.

Other members of the dolphin family that may be seen in the Galapagos Marine Reserve are short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhyncus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) and the melon-headed dolphin (melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra).

• Spanish name – delfín
• Best islands to see them – throughout the archipelago, but especially in the Bolívar Channel between Fernandina and Isabela, and along the west coast of Isabela Island
• Best time of year to see them – June-November

 

Galapagos Sea Lion

With a population of about 50,000, the Galapagos Sea Lion is one of the most common mammals in the archipelago. They are the largest Galapagos animal, with males weighing up to 250 kilograms (550 pounds). These are an endemic subspecies of the California sea lion.

Male sea lions (bulls) are distinguished by their bulging forehead. During the mating season, adult bulls may be seen fighting for control of large harems. At this time, males may be quite aggressive, so be sure to keep your distance. Bachelor pups are quite playful and frequently join human swimmers and surfers. Sea lions prefer sunny beaches and shallow water.

• Scientific name – Zalophus californianus wollebacki
• Spanish name – lobo marino
• Best islands to see them – common throughout the archipelago; especially large colonies on San Cristobal
• Breeding / birthing season – July-November

 

Galapagos Fur Seal

Galapagos fur seals are not true fur seals, but rather a furry cousin to the sea lion. They are easy to confuse. These fur seals, though, are smaller than sea lions, and they have a broader and shorter head with protruding eyes and ears, and longer front flippers. Because of their fur, they were hunted almost to extinction in the 19th century. Their population has recovered quite well.

Like sea lions, males keep a harem of numerous females. They prefer cool, shady rocky shores and deep waters. They hunt at night, and are preyed on by sharks and orcas.

• Scientific name – Arctocephalus galapagoensis
• Spanish name – lobo de dos pelos de Galápagos
• Best islands to see them – Santiago (James Bay), Genovesa (Darwin Bay)
• Breeding / nesting season – August-December

 

Galapagos Land Mammals

Only a few species of land mammals are endemic to the Galapagos. Because most Galapagos ancestors arrived on floating rafts of vegetation, the survival rate of mammals was slim and only the smallest, mice and bats, lived to establish roots in the islands. All of the larger land mammals, such as goats, arrived courtesy of one other mammal: Homo sapiens. These introduced mammals have caused immense damage to the Galapagos Islands’ fragile ecosystem and its endemic fauna.

 

Galapagos Rice Rats

Originally, seven species of rice rats inhabited the Galapagos. The surviving four species are found on islands with no human population. These small rodents are island-specific. Each species is found on particular islands: the petite Santa Fe rice rat (Oryzomys bauri) and small Fernandina rice rat (Nesoryzomys fernandinae), both approximately 20 centimeters (8 inches), and the Santiago rice rat (Nesoryzomys swarthi) and large Fernandina rice rat (Nesoryzomys narboroughii), both measuring in at 35 centimeters (14 inches). All species are light to dark greyish-brown.

Because they are active at night, you probably won’t see the endemic rice rats during your Galapagos vacation. Not much is known about the breeding habits of these rats, though it appears it occurs during the warm, wet the season (December-May). The Santiago rice rat is the only endemic species that is known to be able to compete with the introduced black rat (Rattus rattus).

 

Galapagos Bats

Two species of endemic bats wing across the night skies of the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos red bat (Lasiurus borealis) is found in both the lowlands and the highlands of San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. It is bright burnt orange, with yellow forequarters and underside. It forages near the ground.

The Galapagos hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is larger and light-brown colored. It has a blunt head with no nose. Its preferred habitat is mangrove forests on San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Santiago and Isabela islands. This bat is a higher flyer, foraging in trees and the air.

Like other bats, Galapagos bats are active at night. You may see them fluttering around street lights, or roosting in lava tunnels during the day. Nothing is known about their breeding habits.

 

Mammals Introduced to the Galapagos Islands

Over the centuries, several very destructive mammals have been introduced into the Galapagos Islands – and all at the hands of another mammal, Homo sapiens (humans). The worst of these is perhaps the black rat (Rattus rattus) which undoubtedly arrived with the first pirate ships to sail into the Galapagos archipelago.  The black rat not only competes with endemic rice rats for food, but they also destroy giant tortoise and bird nests, and eat the eggs. On Santiago, Pinzon and several other islands, the black rat has been successfully eliminated.

Whalers brought a whole menagerie of mammals to the Galapagos Islands. They left a few animals of each species on islands, to guarantee a steady supply of meat for passing ships. One of the most important of these was the goat (Capra hircus). This mammal has caused great havoc in the Galapagos. They not only compete with the endemic animals for food, but also indelibly alter the terrain of the islands. In a project scientists worldwide never thought would be possible, Isabela Island was completely erased of this species in a ten-year project. Other smaller islands have also seen successful eradication of goats.

Other livestock introduced into the islands by whalers were pig, cattle, horse and donkey. Wild populations of these animals have been eradicated from Santiago and several other smaller islands, allowing the ecosystems to recover. Once this mission has been accomplished, the islands have seen endemic fauna and flora rebound. On Pinzon and other isles, giant tortoises have been successfully reintroduced.

In modern-day Galapagos, several of these mammal species are kept as livestock, restricted to the agricultural zones of the four human-inhabited islands.

 

Humans

The most important of the introduced mammal species is the human being (Homo sapiens). Besides the sea lion, this is the most easily encountered mammal in the Galapagos. The first long-term human settlement in the Galapagos occurred on Floreana Island. Over the centuries, humans have lived primarily on San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Baltra, Floreana and Isabela, where they are permitted to live under national park regulations; Santiago also was once populated. Three percent of Galapagos National Park is reserved for Homo sapiens’ urban and agricultural needs.

The Galapagos has a permanent human population of approximately 25,000 (2010 census). As well, almost 225,000 tourists arrive each year, mostly from December to January, and June to August. Galapagos natives have adapted their lives and culture to the natural limitations of the islands. As the islands cannot produce enough food for the human population, much must be shipped in from continental Ecuador. Galapagos residents celebrate a number of holidays, both Ecuadorian and religious, like Day of the Dead and Christmas, as well as village patron saint holidays. They also have annual sporting marathons on each of the major islands.

 

Mammals are just one type of Galapagos fauna you’ll encounter during your vacation in these unique islands. You’ll also see many reptiles, as well as sea, shore and land birds.

 

Photo credit: Amos Wright

No matter which Galapagos island you visit, you’ll see our feathered friends, Darwin’s Finches and numerous other land birds, hopping across the ground or flitting across the sky. Many blend into the lava landscape. A few are brightly colored.

Endemic species – those unique to the Galapagos – include 22 species and subspecies of finches, warblers, flycatchers, mockingbirds, hawks and owls. They evolved from ancestors that came from the South American continent hundreds of thousands of years ago.

In the Galapagos Islands, populations of small birds are impacted by feral cats, dogs, goats and pigs. Some of these introduced species destroy native vegetation that provides food and nesting sites for birds. Others hunt the birds. The disease avian pox, first discovered in Galapagos by the 1905-06 California Academy of Sciences expedition, also infects the archipelago’s birds. Small songbirds like Darwin’s finches, flycatchers and warblers are severely threatened by invasive Philorni downsi fly larvae that infest nests and kill hatchlings within days. In some areas, the mortality rate approaches 100 percent.

Darwin’s Finches and other small land birds begin nesting after the first rains come in December. Drought conditions, which often occur with an El Niño event, will reduce breeding.

In this first part of this series on land birds, we’ll get the binoculars out to spot the Galapagos’ small land birds.

 

Darwin’s Finches

Darwin’s Finches are not related at all to true finches; rather they are cousins to tanagers. There are two basic groups of Darwin’s Finches: ground finches (all belonging to the Geospiza genus) and tree finches (belonging to several genera). They are further distinguished by beak size which evolved to fill specific niches in the islands’ food supply.

Because the finches have short generations, evolution is evident. Rosemary and Peter Grant, who have spent many decades studying finches on Daphne Mayor, have documented the changes in finch appearances there, including a new species tentatively called Big Bird. Other scientists have also noted evolutionary changes in beaks of finches that live near human settlements.

It is difficult to distinguish one species of sparrow-sized Darwin’s Finches from another. One key is the island on which they are found. Another is the shape and size of the beak. Many books on Galapagos natural history detail the differences between the finches. All are endemic to the Galapagos. One related species exists on Cocos Island off the coast of Costa Rica.

Ground Finches

Within this group are ground finches and cactus finches, each filling a different niche in the ecosystem.

Small Ground Finch (Geospiza fuliginosa, pinzón tierrero pequeño) eats flowers, seeds, fruits, small insects, and removes ticks from iguanas and tortoises. It lives in coastal and dry zones. Medium Ground Finch (Geospiza fortis, pinzón mediano de tierra) relies on seeds and flowers, and prefers lowland scrub and forest edges. Both may be pollinators, and are seen on all islands except Genovesa, Darwin and Wolf. Medium Ground Finch is extinct on Española.

Large Ground Finch (Geospiza magnirostris, pinzón tierrero grande) has a massive beak, allowing it to eat large, hard seeds. It prefers arid lowlands of the major islands, except Darwin and Española; it may be extinct on San Cristobal and Floreana.

Sharp-beaked Ground Finch (Geospiza difficilis, pinzón de pico afilado) eats insects and snails in the highlands of Santiago, Pinta and Fernandina. It is absent from Darwin, Wolf and Genovesa, and extinct on Santa Cruz. Two varieties of this bird, both considered conspecific (belonging to the same species) are found in the Galapagos, and may be confused with Sharp-beaked Ground Finch. Vampire Ground-finch (Geospiza septentrionalis, pinzón vampire), found on Darwin and Wolf, eats not only seeds and insects, but also the blood of Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies. Genovesa Ground Finch (Geospiza acutirostris, pinzón de tierra de Genovesa) is found only on Genovesa Island.

Cactus finches live in coastal, dry shrub and woodlands with much Opuntia cactus. Their diets center on this plant: flowers, nectar, seeds, and insects on rotting pads. Common Cactus Finch, also called Cactus Ground Finch (Geospiza scandens, pinzón de cactus común), is found on all main islands except Fernandina and Pinzón (where it may be extinct). Large Cactus Finch, also known as Large Cactus Ground Finch or Española Cactus Finch (Geospiza conirostris, pinzón de cactus grande), lives only on Española. These two species do not co-inhabit any island. Genovesa Cactus Finch (Geospiza propinqua, pinzón de cactus de Genovesa), found only on Genovesa, is conspecific with the Large Cactus Finch.

Tree Finches

Tree finches are found in wooded areas of the Galapagos, some preferring mangroves and others Scalesia forests. With the exception of one species, all are omnivorous (fruits, seeds and leaves, as well as insects and larvae).

Small Tree Finch (Camarhynchus parvulus, pinzón arbóreo pequeño) is the smallest of the Darwin tree finches. It lives in highland and transitional zone forests on San Cristobal, Santa Fe, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Baltra, Pinzon, Rabida, Santiago, Isabela and Fernandina. The critically endangered Medium Tree Finch (Camarhynchus pauper, pinzón arbóreo mediano) is found only on Floreana. Large Tree Finch (Camarhynchus psittacula, pinzón arbóreo grande) is the largest of the tree finches, and has a long, heavy beak like a parrot which it uses to peck insects from tree bark. It has a wide range, from the arid coastal zone to humid Scalesia forests of all main islands, except Española, Genovesa, Darwin and Wolf; it is extinct on Pinzón.

During the dry season, Woodpecker Finch (Camarhynchus pallidus, pinzón carpintero or pinzón artesano) may use a cactus spine or twig to dig larvae out from holes in wood. It is usually seen in the highland forests of San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Santiago, Pinzon, Isabela and Fernandina.

Mangrove Finch (Camarhynchus heliobates, pinzón de manglar) is a critically endangered species, with only 80 specimens left in the wild. The Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos National Park are spearheading a project to protect this species from the highly destructive Philornis downsi fly larvae. They live in mixed mangrove forests at Playa Tortuga Negra, Caleta Black and Cartago (Isabela Island). It is extinct on Fernandina.

Vegetarian finch (Platyspiza crassirostris, pinzón vegetarian) eats seeds, flowers, fruits and leaves. It is found in the transition and lower agricultural zones of all islands, except Santa Fe, Española, Baltra, Seymour, Genovesa, Darwin and Wolf.

Warbler Finches are the smallest and have the thinnest beak of all the Darwin Finches. Genetic studies show this species came from southern Central America about 850,000 years ago. Ornithologists now recognize two distinct warbler finch species, as they differ in appearance, distribution, habitat and song. Both species eat insects. Gray Warbler Finch (Certhidea fusca, pinzón cantor gris) inhabits the arid lowlands of San Cristobal, Española, Santa Fe, Floreana, Pinta, Darwin and Wolf. They are also found on the smaller islands in the east, north and south of the archipelago. There are seven subspecies, each confined to specific islands. Green Warbler Finch (Certhidea olivacea, pinzón cantor verde) prefers humid Scelesia forests in the highlands of Santa Cruz, Santiago, Rabida, Pinzon, Isabela and Fernandina.

 

 

Galapagos Flycatcher

The endemic Galapagos Flycatcher is the largest of its class in the islands. This bird is greyish brown with a grey throat. The male has a yellow belly and the female has a beige one. The head may have crest feathers; the beak is thick. Galapagos Flycatcher prefers tropical deciduous and wet forests. Its diet consists mainly of insects, but also some fruit. Genetic studies show this species arrived from southern Central America approximately 850,000 years ago. It is affected by Philornis downsi.

• Scientific name – Myiarchus magnirostris
• Spanish name – papamoscas
• Length – 15-16 centimeters (6 inches)
• Best islands to see them – Common on all islands, except Genovesa; now rare on San Cristobal.
• Breeding / nesting season – January-March (though, at times, as early as November and as late as May)

 

Vermilion Flycatcher

Galapagos Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus nanus) is a timid bird that inspires awe when seen. The males are bright-red with a black band across its eyes and black wings. Females are dull-grey with peach-colored belly. Galapagos Vermilion Flycatcher prefers the dry, upper zones of the islands, in open scalesia, deciduous and guava forests. It feeds exclusively on insects. It is affected by Philornis downsi. San Cristóbal Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus dubius) was declared extinct in 2016.

• Scientific name – Pyrocephalus rubinus
• Spanish name – pájaro brujo
• Length – 13-14 centimeters (5-6 inches)
• Best islands to see them – Breeds on most of the main islands. Few or no recent records of sightings on Santa Fe, Rabida, Wolf, Española, Darwin, Genovesa and Baltra islands.
• Breeding / nesting season – During warmer months (December-May), though may occur as early as October.

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler (a.k.a. Galapagos Mangrove Warbler) is another brightly colored Galapagos land bird. It has a reddish cap and reddish streaks on the breast. Wing feathers are tipped in dark olive to black. It sings a sweet song. Yellow Warbler resides from the shoreline up to the highlands. It is an insectivorous species. It is closely related to a Cocos Island species, and colonized the archipelago less than 300,000 years ago. The invasive fly Philornis downsi is causing heavy chick mortality.

• Scientific name – Dendroica petechia aureola
• Spanish name – canario María
• Length – 12 centimeters (5 inches)
• Best islands to see them – All islands, but especially San Cristobal, Santa Cruz and Isabela
• Breeding / nesting season – December-March

 

During your Galapagos vacation, you will see most of these petite feathered friends. In Part 2, we’ll take a look at the mockingbirds, raptors and other species that also call the Galapagos home.

 

 

Photo credit: Ben Tavener

While strolling along the infinite sea and lagoon shores of the Galapagos, you will see more of the Islands’ endemic and resident birds.

Upon the tumbled, wave-worn lava boulders strewn across the beaches, you can observe herons and oystercatchers, natives to the Galapagos. Plovers, sandpipers and many other seasonal migrants also wander the rough-sand beaches, taking a break from cold northern winters.

Shorebirds have long, skinny legs and toes. Their feet are not webbed. The best time to observe these birds is at low tide, when they are hunting at the water’s edge for crabs and other crustaceans. Some shorebirds may also be seen at inland lagoons and wetlands.

The islands’ lagoons, marshes and other wetlands are other favorite haunts for waterfowl. The best places to observe these types of birds are outside of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, and on the hike to Las Grutas on Santa Cruz Island. As they spend much time in the water, these birds have webbed feet. Their diets mainly consist of insects and fish. Wetland birds include flamingos, ducks and other waterfowl.

Of the 26 shore and lagoon birds seen in the Galapagos, only one is an endemic species unique to these islands. Four others (and possibly a fifth) are endemic subspecies. Migrants include 19 regular visitors.

You won’t need binoculars to spot these shorebirds, as their habitats are easily accessible. The endemic Galapagos species are famously calm in the presence of humans. The migrants tend to be more skittish.

 

Galapagos Shore Birds

Lava Heron

Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, the Lava Heron is an excellent example of a species that blends into its lava rock environment. They are uniformly slate-grey, with a silvery sheen to the back and metallic-green gloss to the wings. During the mating season, its dark-grey beak turns black and the legs turn bright orange. This is a solitary heron, building its nests under lava rocks or in the lower branches of mangrove trees.

Some debate still exists as to whether the Lava Heron is a local variation of the Striated Heron (Butorides striata), or whether the Striated Heron resides in the Galapagos Islands alongside the endemic Lava Heron.

• Scientific name – Butorides sundevalli
• Spanish name – Garza de lava
• Length – 35 centimeters (14 inches)
• Wingspan – 63 centimeters (25 inches)
• Best islands to see them – Throughout the archipelago
• Breeding / nesting season – As many as three mating seasons per year, though usually September-March

 

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

This night heron subspecies is unique to the Galapagos. It has a blue-grey body. A long yellow-white plume of feathers crowns its black head, which has a white stripe below the orange eyes and a thick beak. During the breeding season, the yellow legs become salmon colored. It is common in the coastal zone of the islands, though sometimes it is found inland. This elusive heron is active at dusk and at night.

• Scientific name – Nyctanassa violacea pauper 
• Spanish name – huaque, garza nocturna
• Length – 55-61 centimeters (22-24 inches)
• Wingspan – 107-112 centimeters (42-44 inches)
• Best island to see them  – Throughout the archipelago, except Darwin and Wolf islands
• Breeding / nesting season – Year-round

 

Great Blue Heron

The first thing you’ll notice about this Galapagos subspecies of the Great Blue Heron is that it is greyer than its Great Blue cousins. Its long, sharp beak is yellow. A dark plume of feathers crests its head, which sports a black stripe above the eye. The throat is whitish. The Great Blue Heron has a varied diet that includes not only fish, but also small reptiles like lava lizards and young marine iguanas. It breeds in the coastal zones only on the larger islands.

• Scientific name – Ardea herodias cognata 
• Spanish name – garza morena
• Length – 95 centimeters (37 inches)
• Wingspan – 175 centimeters (69 inches)
• Best islands to see them – On the main islands, particularly San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela and Fernandina; also Genovesa and Marchena
• Breeding / nesting season – Year-round

 

 

Great Egret

A close relative to the herons, the Great Egret is a resident shorebird of the Galapagos Islands. It is snowy white, with long feathers down its back. Its legs are ebony-black and its bill is yellow-orange. Count yourself lucky if you see one of these timid birds.

• Scientific name – Ardea alba 
• Spanish name – garza blanca
• Length – 80-104 centimeters (31-41 inches)
• Wingspan – 140-170 centimeters (55-67 inches)
• Best islands to see them – Santa Cruz, Isabela
• Breeding / nesting season – unknown

 

American Oystercatcher

The American Oystercatcher is a large bird with dark-brown to black back and black wings and white underside. Its bright yellow eyes are ringed with red. It has a thick red-orange beak that is used to pry open shellfish. This is another subspecies that is endemic to the Galapagos Islands.

• Scientific name – Haematopus palliatus galapagensis
• Spanish name – ostrero, cangrejero
• Length – 40-44 cm (16-17 inches)
• Wingspan – 76-90 centimeters (30-36 inches)
• Best islands to see them – Española, Fernandina, Genovesa, Isabela, Marchena, Pinta, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Santiago
• Breeding / nesting season – Breeding: October-March; Nesting: July (especially Puerto Egas, Santiago Island)

 

Galapagos Wetland Birds

Galapagos Flamingo

Galapagos Flamingos are high on many travelers’ must-see lists. Like its cousins, these flamingos are bright pink, with long legs and graceful, curving neck. Its wings have red coverts and black secondary flight feathers. The beak is black-tipped. They build mud nests in saltwater lagoons. Many ornithologists consider this an endemic Galapagos subspecies. The population is endangered, with only 350-500 birds. A strong El Niño event affects their food supply, and thus their breeding.

• Scientific name – Phoenicopterus ruber glyphorhynchus
• Spanish name – flamenco
• Length – 120-140 centimeters (47-55 inches)
• Wingspan – 140-166 centimeters (55-65 inches)
• Best islands to see them – Bainbridge No. 3 Islet, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Rabida, Santiago, Isabela
• Breeding / nesting season – Breeding: July-August; nesting: February (especially Floreana Island). However, if food supplies are excellent, flamingos can breed and nest throughout the year.

 

 

White-cheeked Pintail

The White-cheeked Pintail is the only common duck in the Galapagos Islands, and is an endemic subspecies. The body is brown, with grey-tinged upperparts and dark-brown spotted underparts. Its head is brown, and throat and cheeks are white. A green patch bordered in beige marks the wings. The bill is dark and blue-hued with a red base. These ducks can also be seen in highland ponds.

• Scientific name – Anas bahamensis galapagensis 
• Spanish name – Patillo
• Length – 45-50 centimeters (18-20 inches)
• Wingspan – 93 centimeters (37 inches)
• Best islands to see them – San Cristobal, Española, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Santiago, Genovesa, Isabela, Fernandina
• Breeding / nesting season – Breeding: February (year-round if food supplies are good)

 

Black-necked Stilt

The Black-necked Stilt has a black back and white belly. The head is black-capped with a white spot above the eye and a white throat. Its black beak is long and thin. It has very long (10-25 centimeters / 8-10 inches), rose-colored legs. This stilt is a resident of the Galapagos, and can be seen on beaches and in coastal marshes.

• Scientific name – Himantopus mexicanus 
• Spanish name – tero real
• Length – 37 centimeters (14.5 inches)
• Wingspan – 71 centimeters (28 inches)
• Best islands to see them – Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina
• Breeding / nesting season – Breeding: December-June; Nesting: April-August

 

 

Common Gallinule

The Common Gallinule (also called Moorhen) is a resident species of the Galapagos, living in brackish lagoons. This is a duck-like, blackish-grey bird with a white line along the flanks and white under the tail. The most distinguishing feature of the Common Gallinule is the large red frontal shield above its yellow bill.

• Scientific name – Gallinula chloropus
• Spanish name – gallinula
• Length – 30-38 centimeters (12-15 inches)
• Wingspan – 54–62 centimeters (21-24 inches)
• Best islands to see them – Throughout the archipelago
• Breeding / nesting season – Breeding: May-October

 

And Then There Are the Migrants …

The Galapagos Islands are a favorite vacation spot for Northern Hemisphere humans and migrating birds alike. As the weather turns colder in the north, many stop here on their further south destinations, or choose to spend the entire winter in the archipelago. They begin arriving in August and will stay until March. Another month to watch for them is June.

Approximately 30 species of birds migrate to the Galapagos, half of which are shorebirds. These include:

• Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres; Spanish: vuelve piedras) – Santa Cruz, Española, Pinta,
• Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus; Spanish: chorlitejo) – Santa Cruz, Floreana, Marchena, Pinta, Isabela
• Black-bellied Plover (Grey Plover) (Pluvialis squatarola; Spanish: playero cabezón) – Santa Cruz, Isabela
• Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius; Spanish: correlino) – Santa Cruz, Isabela
• Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla; Spanish: playero enano) – Santa Cruz, Floreana, Pinta, Isabela
• Sanderling (Calidris alba; Spanish: playero común) – Isabela
• Short billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus; Spanish: agujeta piquicorta) – Santa Cruz
• Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus; Spanish: zarapito) – Santa Cruz, Isabela
• Red (Grey) Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius; Spanish: falaropo rojo) – Genovesa
• Northern Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus; Spanish: falaropo norteño) – Fernandina
• Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor; Spanish: falaropo de Wilson) – Santa Cruz, Isabela
• Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes; Spanish: chorlo chico) – Santa Cruz
• Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca; Spanish: chorlo real) – Santa Cruz
• Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana; Spanish: errante) – Santa Cruz, Española, Floreana, Marchena, Pinzón, Isabela, Fernandina
• Willet (Tringa semipalmata; Spanish: playero aliblanco) – Santa Cruz

Only two migrant birds frequent Galapagos lagoons. The Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors; Spanish: cerceta aliazul), which can be seen on Isabela Island, is small brown duck has a pale-blue patch on the wings. The Pied-Billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps; Spanish: sormomujo) stays on San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela islands.

 

Did you see any of these fantastic birds strolling on Galapagos shores? Tell us about it in the comments below. If you’ll be taking a Galapagos cruise, check out the seabirds that may follow you from island to island.

 

 

Photo credit: Paul Krawczuk