Birds

Three Species of Booby

Birding in the Galapagos Islands is an adventure, as every bird seems to have something remarkable about it. Everyone is of course charmed by the boobies and especially remembers the blue-footed boobies because of the funny name and very unexpected color of their feet. The bluer they are, evidently, the healthier and better-nourished they are.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the name booby “originates from the Spanish word ‘bobo,’ which means silly or foolish. These birds tend to have a lack of regard for possible danger, making them vulnerable at times.”

Red-Footed Boobies are Just as Funny

This one was carrying a stick. Maybe nesting material?

Not to mention the Nazca Boobies

Also Nesting: a Great Frigatebird

The Chicks

Water Birds

Flamingos are found on one lagoon, far from their usual habitat throughout South and Central America.
We saw three of them while kayaking, but out of their usual locale.

The oyster catcher is a familiar bird from seashores on the East and West Coasts of the US.

Brown Pelican

Striated Heron

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Gulls

The Red-Billed Tropicbird

We had really wanted to see the Red-Billed Tropicbird — a new one for us.

Land Birds

A mocking bird.

Darwin observed that there were several species of mockingbirds, differing from island to island.

This is a Darwin Finch, known for its adapted beak.

The Yellow Warblers hang around the sea lions, hoping for insects that are attracted to the mammals.
It seemed a bit surprising that this familiar bird from home is also so well adapted to this strange place.

Another finch.

Galapagos Doves

We were happy to see some owls hunting on the lava beach.
This is a short-eared owl which makes itself at home in every continent except Australia and Antarctica.

We saw many other birds on the various islands we visited, and particularly enjoyed the nesting colonies where birds are incredibly tame. On our previous trip to the Galapagos, we also saw the nesting albatrosses and the mating displays of the Great Frigate birds. 

Photos © 2024 mae sander