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

These mysterious creatures mainly feed on theyellow flora and fruits of the islands, such as the prickly cactus pear.Marine iguanaThis iguana is the only marine lizard on earthand is believed to have existed for ten millionyears. They are usually seen in large groupsaround lava rock formations. Their dark blackskin has adapted to the ferocious sun that beatsdown on the Galapagos, and also acts ascamouflage. A marine iguana can dive down to20 metres, thanks to its well-developed flat tail,and has been timed as staying underwater forup to an hour. They are seen throughout theGalapagos, but are most numerous on Isabela,Fernandina and Española islands.Lava lizardThese small and highly territorial reptiles arefound on most islands except Genovesa,although they differ significantly in size, colourand behaviour from island to island. Seven sub-species have now been identified, all ofwhich are endemic to the Galapagos. Males aresignificantly larger and attract females, who arereadily identifiable by their red throats, byundertaking what appear to be rapid press ups. ReptilesReptilian life in the Galapagos is as prolific anddiverse as that of the birds. In total there are 22 species, of which 17 are considered to beendemic to the Galapagos.Giant tortoiseSynonymous with the Galapagos, these immense reptiles can live to over 150 years and may weigh up to 270 kilos. There are 14sub-species and the most famous individual,'Lonesome George', is the last known tortoiseto have survived extinction from La Pinta island.Almost wiped out in the 19th century bywhalers who stored them below deck for meat,giant tortoises have made a strong recovery.Today, these incredible creatures can be seen in captivity on Santa Cruz and Isabela islands, as well as in the wild in the highlands of thesame islands and San Cristóbal.Land iguanaLand iguanas in the Galapagos can grow to onemetre in length and live for 60 years. Theymainly reside on Santa Cruz, Plazas, Isabela andFernandina islands. A recently identified endemicpink sub-species is found only on Santa Fé andnowhere else in the Galapagos, or the world.10Galapagos sea lionsLand iguanaGiant tortoise