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Galapagos BirdsBird watching is one of the most amazing experiences in these islands... Most of this birds are endemic to these unique islands of Galapagos. RED-FOOTED BOOBIES 
These Galapagos birds are the only ones with prehensile feet. They nest on Palo Santo trees or bushes. A precocious group, red-footed boobies start mating when they still have their juvenile plumage (which may explain the healthy size of the colony). Most abundant in the "Galapagos bird island" of Genovesa (Tower). It is Worth mentioning: that in the Galapagos wildlife red footed boobies are the most numerous of all, but the least seen of all. Favorite nesting Galapagos islands are: Española, the Daphnes, Isabela and North Seymour Look for their courtship display: pelican dance and sky pointing. Their loud calls will get your attention: males whistle, while females honk. Look carefully at their eyes: it seems one has a larger pupil than the other one. Which is male, which is female? Females seem to have larger pupils because more black pigmentation is present around their pupils. Did you guess right? More about the Blue Footed Boobie bird Usually, they lay and hatch two eggs, but if so, the younger chick is left out, and the older one is raised in better survival conditions. This is known as sibling murder. Check this out: eggs are laid five days apart, and so they hatch five days apart. If you happen to see this, you'll notice an incredible size difference between the two chicks. Scientists wonder why such high investment of energy ends up in the loss of one of the two chicks. Natural selection at work! Here is more information on these birds of the Galapagos Islands In islands with plenty of food and safety, the cormorants had no practical use for their wings and, simply, by means of natural selection, became flightless. In fact, it is the only cormorant in the world that does not fly. You can even count the number of feathers on each wing! They are large (almost 6 feet/1.8 m. wingspan), lightweight and have a long, hooked beak to catch fish without getting wet. Frigates have an easier way to get food: stealing from other Galapagos birds, specially red-footed boobies (this is, naturally, a survival strategy). And when it is time to raise a family, they settle in others' nests, or abscond with some sticks. The Magnificent Frigate Bird and the Great Frigate Bird. Their main nesting colonies are found in Genovesa (Tower) and North Seymour Islands. More about Frigatebirds here Generally, gulls are diurnal, gregarious (social), scavengers, opportunistic, frequently seen in human-related areas (landfills, parks, garbage cans, etc), and nest in more inland locations. In Galapagos, we have two resident gull species, and both are endemic species (swallow-tail gull and lava gull). Here is a complete review on Galapagos island bird Lava Gull These features make them quite different from all other gull species, and thus its endemic status. More Galapagos Birds:Galapagos Sea Birds Read a description of the most important sea birds you will see in the Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Hawk Is one of the largest birds of the Galapagos Islands, it is an endemic species. Galapagos Finches These little sparrow-like birds, are the most incredible lesson in natural selection. Galapagos Ground Finch It is also endemic to these Islands. These birds have strong beaks which are useful for feeding Galapagos Great Blue Heron Is the largest of the Galapagos herons and can be found nesting on most of the bigger islands like isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. Galapagos Lava Heron The Lava Heron in Galapagos is the only endemic species of herons in the Islands. Here are Four Recommended Galapagos Tours:
Recommended Galapagos ReadingA Guide to the Birds of the Galapagos Islands It offers unprecedented comprehensive coverage. This field guide presents every species to have been recorded within the archipelago, including accidentals and vagrants. Twenty eight color plates illustrate the species, while four color plates show the key island habitats, with typical Galapagos birds especies for each also depicted. (A very concise, and informative book).Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands From rugged Andean mountains and lush Amazonian jungle, to serene Pacific beaches and the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands, Ecuador offers a unique landscape for every traveler's taste. (Very good book highly recommended!) Click here to Visit the Galapagos Islands Store More Useful Information: If you have any questions about Galapagos birds or if you'd like assistance to book one of our recommended tours to Galapagos, you can Contact us here
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This Galapagos bird, Waved Albatross is found around the East Pacific. With a wingspan of 11 feet (3.5 m.) an albatross can follow wind currents for days.
These are the Galapagos birds known as fearless divers -- from 100 feet (30 mt) or more -- and picturesque dancers with their beaks pointing up to the sky, while stomping the ground with their huge bright blue webbed feet. 
These Galapagos birds are the largest of the three species. Big nesting colonies are found in Genovesa and Española islands in Galapagos. 
The Frigate birds, also called Man O'War, are the kind of Galapagos birds that belong to the sea though they are virtually not waterproof! What a contradiction! 
Amongst the unusual list of Galapagos birds, we find an endemic sea bird. Endemism in sea birds is low due to their high dispersal ability, but given the right isolating conditions, the resulting adaptations are quite interesting. 
