| Galapagos June 25 - July 5, 1999 Allen & Nancy Chartier |
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| Species Accounts Plants Spiders Insects Crustaceans Fish Reptiles Birds Mammals Lifers are in boldface.
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| Plants | |
| We brought along our copy of Plants of the Galapagos
Islands by Eileen K. Schofield (1984). We didn't see any copies
of this book available in Galapagos or Quito, so it was good we had a
copy already. It was extremely useful and we saw nearly every plant
covered. After we returned home, we got a copy of Galapagos: A
Natural History by Michael H. Jackson. We had some trouble
getting it, since it was in the process of being reprinted by the
publisher. It would have cost $45 to buy it in the Galapagos, much more
than we paid. The list below is organized alphabetically by genus.
Giant Bamboo, Bambusa guadua
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| Spiders | |
| STAR SPIDER Gasteracantha
servillei Seen well on Santa Cruz.
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| Insects | |
| Grasshoppers
PAINTED LOCUST, Schistocerca
melanocerca
Dragonflies Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens Other species were also seen, including a saddlebag (Tramea?), and a meadowhawk (Sympetrum).
Flies GALAPAGOS HORSEFLY, Tabanus vittiger
Bees & Wasps CARPENTER BEE, Xylocopa darwini
Butterflies Queen, Danaus gilippus "Galapagos" Sulphur, Phoebis
sennae marcellina GALAPAGOS BLUE, Leptopus parrhasoides LARGE-TAILED SKIPPER, Urbanus
dorantes
Moths GREEN HAWKMOTH, Eumorpha labuscae
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| Crustaceans | |
| Acorn Barnacle, Megabalanus
galapaganus Seen in coastal areas on several islands. Ghost Crab, Ocypode sp. PHOTO Seen on the beach on Rabida Island. Black Hermit Crab, Calcinus explorator Seen in tidepools. Sally Lightfoot Crab, Graspus graspus PHOTO Seen in all coastal areas. Crab sp. Another all black species was seen in several areas, but since there are over 100 species in Galapagos, we would need a detailed reference to figure it out.
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| Fish | |
| Two references were helpful with the fish we saw: A
Field Guide to the Fishes of Galapagos by Godfrey Merlen (1988),
and Reef Fish Identification - Galapagos by Paul Humann
(1993). While some went snorkeling, we were satisfied with what we saw
from the boat and in tide pools.
GALAPAGOS SHARK, Carcharhinus
galapagensis [8]
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| Reptiles | |
| Green Sea Turtle, Chelonia
mydas [7] Several were at Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz I., and one each at Puerto Egas, Santiago I., and near Tagus Cove, Isabela I. MARINE IGUANA, Amblyrhynchus cristatus [735] PHOTO Seen on lava on the coasts of many islands. Most numerous at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina I. ENDEMIC to Galapagos. GALAPAGOS LAND IGUANA, Conolophus subcristatus [10] PHOTO Only seen on Isabela I. at Urvina Bay, where the largest subspecies occurs. ENDEMIC to Galapagos. Green Iguana, Iguana iguana [25] Not in Galapagos. All were in Parque Seminario in Guayaquil. GALAPAGOS LAVA LIZARD, Tropidurus albemarlensis [56] PHOTO ENDEMIC to the northern Galapagos Islands. Seen on Baltra, Rabida, Santiago, Fernandina, Isabela, and Santa Cruz. FLOREANA LAVA LIZARD, Tropidurus grayi [5] PHOTO All were seen on Floreana I., where it is ENDEMIC. SAN CRISTOBAL LAVA LIZARD, Tropidurus bivittatus [5] PHOTO All were on San Cristobal I., and nearby Isla Lobos, where it is ENDEMIC. HOOD LAVA LIZARD, Tropidurus delanonis [8] PHOTO All were on Espanola (Hood) Island, where it is ENDEMIC. GALAPAGOS RACER, Alsophis dorsalis [1] PHOTO Seen in the trail on Santiago I. near Puerto Egas. ENDEMIC to Galapagos.
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| Birds
A total of 85 species was recorded, with 60 seen in Galapagos. All but two of the Galapagos endemics were seen (Galapagos Rail and Sharp-beaked Ground-Finch were missed). We also missed the endemic race of Southern Martin, which is sometimes given full species status. Two field guides were used: A Field Guide to Birds of Galapagos by Michael Harris (1974) and A Guide to Birds of the Galapagos Islands by Castro and Phillips (1996). The older reference had more detailed and accurate distribution information and some good illustrations, especially the Darwin's Finches.
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| 1. GALAPAGOS PENGUIN, Spheniscus
mendiculus [16] PHOTO Seen mainly in the water at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina I., and Black Beach, Isabela I. Excellent views of several on land on Isabela south of Black Beach. Two were in the water off of Floreana. ENDEMIC to the Galapagos. 2. Waved Albatross, Phoebastria irrorata [277] PHOTO Most were at the only nesting colony (about 30,000 pairs but not very concentrated) at Punta Suarez on Espanola I. A few were seen at sea offshore of Isabela, Floreana, Enderby, San Cristobal, and Santa Fe Islands (32 between the latter two). NEARLY ENDEMIC to Galapagos. 3. Dark-rumped Petrel, Pterodroma phaeopygia [37] All were at sea while travelling between islands. Sometimes lumped with Hawaiian Petrel. This form is NEARLY ENDEMIC to Galapagos. 4. Audubon's Shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri [1,100] PHOTO All were at sea, and between islands and at small offshore islets. The distinct race in the Galapagos is ENDEMIC. 5. White-vented Storm-Petrel, Oceanites gracilis [241] PHOTO All were at sea, sometimes close inshore or even in harbors. Easy to differentiate from the other species as it is a smaller bird with more fluttering flight, and feet extending beyond the tail. NEARLY ENDEMIC to Galapagos. 6. Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma tethys [37] PHOTO All were at sea, only rarely as close to shore as the previous species. NEARLY ENDEMIC to Galapagos. 7. Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma castro [17] Generally seen in areas farthest from shore between islands. Most individuals that were seen well showed no white wrapping around to the sides of the undertail coverts, apparently contrary to published information. The race found in Galapagos is NEARLY ENDEMIC. Storm-Petrel sp. [2] Two unidentified storm-petrels were seen, one was all-dark but not well seen. Possibilities include Markham's or a dark-rumped Leach's, both of which are very rare in Galapagos waters. Another, seen quite well, was similar in flight style and size to both Wedge-rumped and Band-rumped (long-winged with dashing flight), and possessed a white rump band and completely white undertail coverts. 8. Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus [94] PHOTO One was seen from the plane offshore of Baltra I. as we came in for a landing the first day. Another was seen at sea at a great distance from the boat near Isabela I. Numbers were seen offshore of Floreana I., and especially at Champion I. and Enderby I. A couple others were near Espanola I. and San Cristobal I. 9. Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens [1,175] PHOTO The most widely distributed of the two species of frigatebirds, with birds seen daily and at (and between) nearly all islands. 10. Great Frigatebird, Fregata minor [835] PHOTO Most were at a nesting colony at Enderby I. off of Floreana I., with several at another nesting colony as Isla Lobos offshore of San Cristobal I. A few were offshore of Espanola I. 11. Blue-footed Booby, Sula nebouxii [3,700] PHOTO Virtually everywhere throughout the Galapagos. The largest nesting colony visited was on Espanola I., but most numerous generally off the northern islands. Some trails had nesting birds that we had to try to walk around, getting poked in the process. 12. Nazca Booby, Sula granti [760] PHOTO Recently split from Masked Booby, and NEARLY ENDEMIC to Galapagos. 13. FLIGHTLESS CORMORANT, Phalacrocorax harrisi [16] PHOTO Most were at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina I. where they were very approachable. One was with the penguins on Isabela I. ENDEMIC to Galapagos. 14. Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis [1,300] Seen throughout the Galapagos offshore of most islands, though most numerous off the northern islands. 15. White-cheeked Pintail, Anas bahamensis [130] The race in the Galapagos is ENDEMIC. Concentrated in three main areas of fresh water. Forty-five were at Rabida I.; 65 were at Puerto Villamil, Isabela I.; and 20 were at Lago Junco, Santa Cruz I. 16. Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber [17] PHOTO Seen in only two areas of fresh water. Seven were at Rabida I. and ten were at Puerto Villamil, Isabela I. 17. Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias [4] The race in the Galapagos is ENDEMIC. Seen at Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz I., Rabida I., and Punta Espinosa, Fernandina I. 18. Great Egret, Ardea alba [4] One was at the Guayaquil airport and two were at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina I. 19. Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis [184] Several were at the Guayaquil airport. In Galapagos, seen on Isabela, Floreana, San Cristobal, and Santa Cruz islands, primarily at inland locations. 20. Striated Heron, Butorides striatus [14] PHOTO Most were at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina I., and the rest were at Black Beach, Isabela I. 21. GALAPAGOS HERON, Butorides sundevalli [21] PHOTO One of the first birds we saw at the dock on Baltra when we were waiting for the zodiac to our boat. Seen at coastal (and mangrove) locations on Rabida, Santa Cruz, Santiago, Floreana, and Espanola islands. Sometimes called Lava Heron. ENDEMIC to Galapagos. 22. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Nyctanassa violacea [7] Seen at coastal areas of Santa Cruz, Santiago, Champion and Espanola islands. 23. Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus [9] Not in Galapagos. Seen over Guayaquil and over the Hotel Quito. 24. Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura [3] Not in Galapagos. All were at the Guayaquil airport. 25. Savanna Hawk, Buteogallus meridionalis [1] Circling over the Guayaquil airport. 26. GALAPAGOS HAWK, Buteo galapagoensis [13] PHOTO First seen on Rabida, and a nest seen on Santiago I. A few seen on Fernandina and Isabela I. One greeted us on the park sign on Espanola I., and one was in the highlands of Santa Cruz I. where it is rare. 27. Paint-billed Crake, Neocrex erythrops [1] A small, mouse-like bird was glimpsed running across a small open area at a small restaurant in a fairly remote area near Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz I. The bird didn't reappear while we waited, though the restaurant owner indicated the bird did come out regularly, and even went into her dog's house and ate dogfood! We assumed the bird was the endemic Galapagos Rail and returned to the dock where several people chose to go shopping. A few of us returned via a taxi with Mitch to wait for the bird to reappear. When it did, the red legs and red-and-yellow bill left no doubt that the bird we had seen earlier was not a Galapagos Rail, but this species instead. Mitch theorized that the Galapagos Rail might be more common in natural grasslands, and Paint-billed Crake more common in cultivated areas (and on soccer fields in town, as was reported to us). 28. Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus [25] Seen only at Puerto Villamil, Isabela I., and Lago de Junco, San Cristobal I. 29. Hudsonian Godwit, Limosa haemastica [1] The first record ever for Galapagos. Spotted by Allen at the lagoon at Puerto Villamil, Isabela I. One of the few shorebirds we saw that was in breeding plumage. 30. Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus [18] Seen mainly in coastal areas on several islands, though a couple were in the foggy highland grasslands on Isabela, and one was perched in the top of a shrub in dry lowland scrub on Floreana I. Very unusual circumstances for this species. 31. Wandering Tattler, Heteroscelus incanus [6] Seen along the coasts of Rabida, Santiago, Isabela, and Espanola Islands. 32. Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres [24] Most were at Puerto Villamil, Isabela I., with a few on Santiago I., and one on Floreana I. 33. Sanderling, Calidris alba [1] One seen in flight by Allen only at Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz I. 34. American Oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus [11] A pair with nearly full-grown young was at Puerto Egas, Santiago I. Others wereon Fernandina, Isabela, and Espanola Islands. 35. Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus [38] Most were at the lagoon at Puerto Villamil, Isabela I., including a recently hatched young. Others were at Lago de Junco, San Cristobal I. 36. Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola [1] A single bird in non-breeding plumage was seen at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina I. 37. Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus [13] Ten were at Puerto Egas, Santiago I., and three were at Punta Espinosa, Fernandina I., all in non-breeding plumage. 38. LAVA GULL, Larus fuliginosus [12] PHOTO The world population of this species, which is ENDEMIC to Galapagos, is about 400 pairs. Mostly first-year or second-year birds were seen, with only three adults (with contrasting darker heads) seen on our last day on Santa Cruz I. This was one of the first birds we saw as we waited to board our catamaran on Baltra I. Others were seen on Santiago, Fernandina, and Isabela Islands. 39. Swallow-tailed Gull, Creagrus furcatus [217] PHOTO This species, which is NEARLY ENDEMIC to Galapagos, is the world's only gull that is both nocturnal and pelagic. The first one was seen at sea at dusk well offshore of Santiago I. Several birds were seen well on Champion I. and Enderby I., and there was a substantial nesting colony at Punta Suarez, Espanola I. 40. Brown Noddy, Anous stolidus [977] PHOTO Seen at sea and in coastal areas of most islands. 41. Rock Dove, Columba livia [35] Seen in all cities and towns throughout, including Guayaguil and Quito on the mainland, Puerto Villamil, Isabela I., near El Progresso, San Cristobal I., and Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz I. 42. Eared Dove, Zenaida auriculata [16] Not in Galapagos. Only seen in Quito and at the Hotel Quito. 43. GALAPAGOS DOVE, Zenaida galapagoensis [32] PHOTO Very tame and often seen on the ground beside the trails. Found on Rabida, Santiago, Floreana, Espanola, and Santa Cruz Islands. ENDEMIC to Ecuador. 44. PACIFIC PARROTLET, Forpus coelestis [8] Not in Galapagos. Seen only in Guayaquil at Parque Seminario and at the airport. ENDEMIC to the Tumbesian region of southwest Ecuador and northwest Peru. 45. GRAY-CHEEKED PARAKEET, Brotogeris pyrrhopterus [2] Not in Galapagos. Heard only in Guayaquil near Parque Seminario. ENDEMIC to the Tumbesian region of southwest Ecuador and northwest Peru. 46. Dark-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus melacoryphus [6] The first one was seen from the "bus" on Floreana just outside the town. Several were along the road to El Progresso, and one was seen very well at the Charles Darwin Research Station near Puerto Ayora, both on Santa Cruz I. 47. Smooth-billed Ani, Crotophaga ani [76] Fairly common in dry scrub at all elevations on most islands. 48. Groove-billed Ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris [13] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at Guayaquil at Parque Seminario and the airport. 49. Sparkling Violet-ear, Colibri coruscans [3] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the Hotel Quito. 50. Amazilia Hummingbird, Amazilia amazilia [1] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the hotel in Guayaquil. 51. Black-tailed Trainbearer, Lesbia victoriae [2] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the Hotel Quito. 52. Pale-legged (Pacific) Hornero, Furnarius leucopus [1] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at Parque Seminario in Guayaquil. 53. Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Camptostoma obsoletum [3] Not in Galapagos. Two in front of the hotel and one at Parque Seminario, Guayaquil. 54. Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus [5] PHOTO In Galapagos, where there is an ENDEMIC subspecies, seen only on Isabela I. where the females were very yellow below, unlike the other races which are pinkish. A pair was seen at the Hotel Quito. 55. GALAPAGOS FLYCATCHER, Myiarchus magnirostris [9] PHOTO All were curious and approached us closely. One even landed on Allen's 400mm camera lens! Seen on Santiago, Isabela, Floreana, San Cristobal, and Santa Cruz Islands. A very small Myiarchus, about the size of a pewee. ENDEMIC to Galapagos. 56. Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus [6] Not in Galapagos. Seen at Parque Seminario and the airport in Guayaquil. 57. Great Thrush, Turdus fuscater [4] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the Hotel Quito. 58. GALAPAGOS MOCKINGBIRD, Nesomimus parvulus [35] PHOTO Very tame and easy to see. ENDEMIC to Galapagos, specifically to the northern and western islands. We saw them on Rabida, Santiago, Fernandina, Isabela, and Santa Cruz Islands. 59. CHARLES MOCKINGBIRD, Nesomimus trifasciatus [5] PHOTO Possibly the rarest bird ENDEMIC to the Galapagos, being found only on Champion and Gardner Islands offshore of Floreana (where it became extinct in the late 1800s). Only 46 birds were counted in the last census, with most on Champion. The birds came in to our squeaking (as we sat in the Zodiacs just offshore) and seemed very tame and curious (and thus susceptible to predation from cats and rats). 60. HOOD MOCKINGBIRD, Nesomimus macdonaldi [25] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos, being found only on Espanola Island. These, too, were very tame. In fact, they were difficult to photograph because they kept coming too close! Seen everywhere we visited on Espanola I. 61. SAN CRISTOBAL MOCKINGBIRD, Nesomimus melanotis [7] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos, being found only on San Cristobal Island. This species isn't as tame as the other three species of mockingbird, so is more difficult to see. Also, they apparently have altitudinal movements based on the wet and dry season. Our first was seen well at a cemetery in the middle elevations of San Cristobal, and the others were seen along the roadside as we rode up into the highlands. 62. Tropical Gnatcatcher, Polioptila plumbea [2] Not in Galapagos. Seen at Parque Seminario in Guayaquil. 63. Gray-breasted Martin, Progne chalybea [26] Not in Galapagos. Seen over Guayaquil from the hotel and Parque Seminario. 64. Brown-bellied Swallow, Notiochelidon murina [1] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the Hotel Quito. 65. Blue-and-white Swallow, Pygochelidon cyanoleuca [6] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the Hotel Quito. 66. Hooded Siskin, Carduelis magellanicus [1] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the Hotel Quito. 67. Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia [221] PHOTO An extremely common and tame bird in Galapagos, being seen nearly everywhere we went. There seemed to be some inter-island variation, but primarily the males were bright yellow with a chestnut crown, and females were quite dull, with a gray head, which made them look more like a Tennessee Warbler than a Yellow Warbler. 68. Rufous-collared Sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis [15] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the Hotel Quito. 69. Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus [32] Not in Galapagos. Seen at the hotel and at Parque Seminario in Guayaquil. 70. Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Thraupis bonariensis [3] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the Hotel Quito, includng a brilliant male. 71. Black Flower-piercer, Diglossa humeralis [1] Not in Galapagos. Seen only at the Hotel Quito. 72. LARGE GROUND-FINCH, Geospiza magnirostris [6] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. The first ones, on Rabida I., were the best seen. Also seen on Isabela I. 73. MEDIUM GROUND-FINCH, Geospiza fortis [470] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. Often the most common finch, even quite common in towns. At Urvina Bay, Isabela I., they had apparently found a rich food supply as there were 100 there. 74. SMALL GROUND-FINCH, Geospiza fuliginosa [405] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. A very common finch, the commonest in several areas, and the one encountered most often in towns. 75. COMMON CACTUS-FINCH, Geospiza scandens [9] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. Despite the fact that we were in lots of cactus and scrub, we didn't see very many. Seen on Rabida, Isabela, and San Cristobal Islands. 76. LARGE CACTUS-FINCH, Geospiza conirostris [40] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos, being found on 3 or 4 small islands, primarily on Espanola. All were seen around the Blue-footed Booby nesting areas at Punta Suarez, surprisingly with no cactus around. 77. VEGETARIAN FINCH, Camarhynchus crassirostris [7] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. Sometimes difficult to find, as it favors the transitional zone from the dry lowlands to the wet highlands. Seen briefly at the cemetery on San Cristobal I., and seen well near Bellavista, Santa Cruz I. 78. LARGE TREE-FINCH, Camarhynchus psittacula [4] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. Seen in the highlands of Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. 79. MEDIUM TREE-FINCH, Camarhynchus pauper [2] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos, where it is found only on Floreana Island. Two females were seen well in the highlands of Floreana. 80. SMALL TREE-FINCH, Camarhynchus parvulus [200] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. Seen well in the highlands of Isabela, Floreana, San Cristobal, and Santa Cruz Islands. Very common on Isabela. 81. WOODPECKER FINCH, Camarhynchus pallidus [5] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. Seen well, but the birds didn't allow the close approach that all the other species did. Seen in the highlands of Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. 82. MANGROVE FINCH, Camarhynchus heliobates [3] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. One of the rarest birds in Galapagos, with only about 35 pairs known, most on Isabela (a few, at least formerly, on Fernandina I.). One was seen extremely well, and two others heard, at Black Beach south of Tagus Cove, Isabela I. 83. WARBLER FINCH, Certhidea olivacea [34] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. Primarily found in the southern and eastern islands. First seen on Espanola I., but more common on San Cristobal and Santa Cruz Islands. 84. Peruvian Meadowlark, Sturnella bellicosa [1] Not in Galapagos. Seen on the runway of the Guayaquil airport. 85. Scrub Blackbird, Dives warszewiczi [6] Not in Galapagos. Seen near the hotel and at Parque Seminario in Guayaquil.
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| Mammals | |
| Norway Rat, Rattus norvegicus
[1] Seen on rocks at the dock at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island. Guayaquil Squirrel, Sciurus stramineus [2] Seen in Parque Seminario in Guayaquil. small squirrel sp., Sciurus sp? [2] A small tree squirrel was seen in Parque Seminario in Guayaquil. California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus wollebaeki [250] PHOTO On most beaches and coastlines throughout the Galapagos. This ENDEMIC subspecies is smaller than the North American form. GALAPAGOS FUR SEAL, Arctocephalus galapagoensis [7] PHOTO ENDEMIC to Galapagos. Favors rocky areas where it can hide in secluded niches. Seen on Rabida and Santiago Islands. Minke Whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata [1] The only cetacean seen on the trip, seen briefly at sea while traveling from Isabela to Floreana. |
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