What differentiates the seas of the temperate northern hemisphere from those of the tropics? One of the first differences that comes to my mind are the presence of frigatebirds on your Galapagos tour. Like Pterodactyls soaring ominously-yet-gallantly in characteristic silhouette, high, high in the sky; their profiles, which can be experienced mainly over pantropical oceans, are an iconic image wherever they are found.
Frigatebirds are a spectacle to behold⌠along the shores of South America, itâs common to see them flying over fishing villages where they often swoop down acrobatically to local fishing yachts at sea to pester sailors for a morsel or two. As the boats reach the beach, they circle the catch in astounding numbers like gigantic flies. Where do they come from? In what magic cauldron were these creatures created? One such cauldron is, of course, the Galapagos Islands.
Where to see Frigatebirds in the Galapagos
A typical Galapagos vacation will organize an itinerary that includes North Seymour, where you come so close to frigatebirds you can actually see the shimmering coloration of the sheen that reflects off the malesâ elongated dorsal feathers. This sheen, which is indistinguishable in the field (even with binoculars!), is actually one of the features that differentiates the two species of frigatebirds that nest in the archipelago. When seeing them this close, you can easily notice that these feathers emanate either a shiny green (the Great Frigatebird) or a glimmering purple (the Magnificent Frigatebird). Not even the most consummate birder could tell the difference otherwise.
The helium balloon
Now frigatebirds might not be a prime attraction of the Galapagos if it werenât for the malesâ bizarre âguttural pouchâ. The name sounds unappealing for sure, but once you see this phenomenon of nature live, youâll be taken by the sight. Males are able to inflate a scraggly âbagâ that normally lies unobtrusively along their throats into a gigantic bright-red balloon.
They spend hours sucking-up air in order to expand them to become as plump as possible, with the sole intention of attracting females, who, flying above, are constantly on the lookout to see which seems the sexiest. When they finally make their choice, the intrigued âdamselâ alights alongside her mate. We gather that the redder and larger, the more irresistible, but who knows what makes each tick!
Frigatebird nests
Spotting Frigatebirds on your Galapagos tour ranks as a true highlight. Their colonies are to be found in arid Palo Santo forests, where nests are placed anywhere from the treetops to right on the ground. To build them, these birds use their own sticky defecation, called guano, to firmly cement together what looks like a loose pile of sticks. All of this, including that phantom-like silhouette, the mating males, their guttural pouches, and disheveled babies, their nests, are yet another spectacle of nature you can only experience in the Galapagos Islands.
Plan your Galapagos vacation!
See our Safaris for suggested itineraries.
