GALAPAGOS - The Sea Birds

Galapagos Penguin
The endemic Galapagos Penguin is the third smallest species of penguin in the world and is the only one to be found between the tropics (and the only ones to reach the Northern Hemisphere). They live in the natural caves and crevices found in the lava rocks on the shores of the islands. They prefer the cooler waters that are found around Isabela and Fernandina islands. The Galapagos Penguin is a member of the Spheniscid family that also includes the Jackass and Humboldt penguins.  These penguins are black and white.  Their white chests can easily be spotted against the dark lava rocks and they will often turn and face the rock since their black backs are much harder to spot. In the sea, the penguin is an agile and speedy swimmer. The visitor to the Galapagos will easily spot penguins but often only from the moving dinghies and ‘pangas’ that visit the more rocky shorelines.

Frigate Bird
The frigatebird is a large sea bird that is often referred to as “the Man o’ War” bird.  Their lengthy wingspan enables them to be highly acrobatic in the air.  Given the slightest opportunity, these birds will steal food from other birds that may have just captured some prey. Their long hooked bill is used effectively in such attacks.  There are two types of frigatebird that are found on the Galapagos Islands – the Magnificent Frigatebird and the Great Frigatebird. The birds have a bare-skinned throat pouch, which in courting males becomes bright red and is inflated, for display purposes, to the size of a person's head. Found throughout the world along tropical and semitropical coasts and islands, the frigate bird usually keeps within 100 miles of land, to which it must return to roost. It breeds in crowded colonies on the islands.

Brown Pelican
Brown pelicans nest in many scattered colonies throughout the islands.  They are the smallest of their species and are the only ones to be truly marine birds.  Unlike other pelicans, they catch their food by plunge diving into the water – an act that is performed rather awkwardly owing to the pelican’s large body and lengthy neck and bill.   It scoops prey into a distended pouch and then swallows the contents as the pouch contracts when the bird emerges from the water.  

Swallow Tailed Gull
The swallow-tailed gull is the world’s only nocturnal oceanic gull.  At dusk, it will fly many miles out to sea in the search for food. The gull’s eyes are specially adapted to pick up black and white contrast and this helps it to identify its prey. The large eye of the gull is typical for a nocturnal animal.  However, the bright red eye ring has no known purpose. Its favourite prey is squid. The birds may be seen nesting all over the Galapagos Islands.  Although they prefer to nest on the sea cliffs, they will also happily nest on sand or lava.