BirdsIt is not necessary to be an experienced twitcherto appreciate and enjoy the incredible diversityof birdlife in the Galapagos. Depending on thetime of year and the particular island you arevisiting, you will have unique opportunities to observe and photograph rare and endemic bird species and can hope to be treated tospectacular displays of courtship as well asfeeding and nesting at very close quarters. Herewe choose some of the highlights.Waved albatrossThe largest bird inhabiting the Galapagos, thewaved albatross, has an incredible 2.4 metrewing span. The albatross arrives on Españolaisland (the only one on which it can be seen)around April, and its intricate mating dances can be observed from then through to July.Albatross chicks are present until approximatelyNovember when they fledge and venture todistant Asian coastlines, before returning thefollowing April.Galapagos penguinBrought to the island by the cool Humboldtcurrent from Antarctica, the Galapagos penguinis one of the smallest species in the penguinfamily, growing to just 30 centimetres tall. Most active between May and October, andtypically surfacing in the early morning, they liveand breed on Isabela and Fernandina islands, butcan also be seen at the base of Pinnacle Rockon Bartolomé.Flightless cormorantThe largest of all cormorants and arguably theembodiment of Darwin's evolution theories, thisbird has lost the ability to fly as a result of thelack of natural predators and the need to adaptto fishing. Rather comically, it will spread itswings as if it is about to take off into the airbefore diving into the water to hunt. Thesecormorants are only found on the westernislands of Fernandina and Isabela, but areregularly observed here year-round, withcourtship usually taking place around July.Red-footed boobyThe red-footed booby is the smallest of the three booby species on the Galapagos and theonly one that is known to nest in trees. Lightbrown in colour, save for those vivid and easilyidentifiable feet, these birds are only seen onGenovesa and the eastern tip of San Cristóbalisland. The breeding cycle can be year-roundand is primarily driven by the availability of food.The Galapagos is a truly special place, both forscientists and travellers. As the islands havenever been connected with the mainland theyare home to innumerable endemic species ofwildlife and plants, many of which are evenunique to just one island. One of the foremostattractions of the islands for visitors is thefearlessness of the animals, thanks to theirrelative lack of exposure to predators, enablingyou to enjoy one of your closest everencounters with nature. Wildlife8Flightless cormorantBlue-footed booby

www.audleytravel.com/galapagos ?01993 838 635 ?Wildlife9Blue-footed boobyThe unmistakable blue-footed booby is acommon sight in the Galapagos and is seen onmany islands throughout the year. They usuallybegin their exquisite 'sky pointing' courtshipdance around May and continue through to July,when the first chicks will hatch. The female laysmultiple eggs and is the only booby species torear more than one chick. Watching a congressof boobies dive for fish is a real sight to behold.Nazca boobyAlso known as the masked booby, this varietyhas white plumage and a black masksurrounding the eye. They nest on the groundlike their blue-footed cousin and usually lay twoeggs. If both hatch, only the oldest survives as it pushes the youngest from the nesting site,right under the nose of the parents, who seemunfazed by their offspring's actions towards itssibling. You are most likely to see thisextraordinary process of natural selection inFebruary, at the end of the nesting season.Nazca boobies are most common on thesouthern island of Española.Frigate birdVarieties seen in the Galapagos include the great frigate bird and the magnificent frigate bird. Both possess impressive wing spans similarin length to the waved albatross. During thebreeding season, which usually starts in March,males display by inflating their bright red throatpouches, increasing their chances of attracting a female but risking other competitive males'attempts to burst them. Frigate birds can be seen all across the archipelago but goodlocations include the islands of Genovesa, San Cristóbal, Floreana and Seymour.FlamingosIt is common to see the Galapagos flamingo inthe brackish lagoons hidden in the lava fields ofcertain islands in the Galapagos. Their uniquepink colour appears crimson and black whenthey take flight. They lay their eggs fromFebruary onwards in muddy nests, which theybuild in the shallow waters of the lagoons.Flamingos are most frequently seen on Floreana and Santa Cruz islands.FinchesThere are now 13 identified endemic species of finches in the Galapagos, all of which aresparrow sized and similar in appearance withgrey, brown, black or olive feathers. They differgreatly, however, in the configuration of theirbeaks, which are suited to their diverse feedinghabits, an attribute that was not missed byDarwin when formulating his theory of speciesevolution. Finches are seen on most islands in the archipelago.Nazca boobies at sunsetWaved albatrossFrigate birdGalapagos penguins