GALAPAGOS - The Shore Birds

Great Blue Heron
The great blue heron is the largest of the Galapagos herons and can be found nesting on most of the larger islands. It is a fierce and efficient predator and lives of a wide ranch of marine life. It will frequently take the hatchlings of turtles and marine iguana.

Greater Flamingo
The flamingos live in small numbers in the brackish waters of lagoons dotted around several of the islands.  Their bright pink colouring stands out against the dark background of volcanic lava. It is thought that fewer than 500 flamingos are now present on Galapagos.  Unlike much wildlife on the islands, these birds are nervous and will normally only be viewed in the distance.  They will often desert their nests if disturbed.

American Oystercatcher
These birds feed on crustaceans and molluscs and are also able to open crab shells with their strong beaks.  This is a distinctive black and white bird with a striking orange bill. It has a loud shrill call and is frequently both seen and heard around the shoreline.

Lava Heron
This dark grey and somewhat sombre looking bird sits motionless on the lava rockpools around the seashore remaining alert and waiting for prey.  It is the only endemic heron in the Galapagos.