Galapagos flycatcher

Galapagos Flycatcher (Myiarchus magnirostris)

The Galapagos Flycatcher, also known as the Large-billed Flycatcher, is a small, sturdy bird about 15–16 cm long, with a mid-brown head and back, a grey throat and breast, and pale-yellow underparts. Its bill is noticeably thicker and longer than that of the vermilion flycatcher, and a faint double wing bar shows on the closed wing.

Diet and behavior

The Galapagos Flycatcher feeds mainly on insects, often snatching them mid-air or picking them off leaves and branches. It also eats small fruits and occasionally visits flowers, playing a minor role in pollination.

At Camp, these gutsy little birds are known for their curiosity and charm. They show little fear of people, often fluttering close by or venturing into the main lodge to chase moths drawn to the lights. They have been known to pluck out hairs from cows and goats for their nests, and have even been observed attempting to pluck out the hairs from tourists.

One researcher reported a ‘most unusual nest’ that a Galapagos Flycatcher had created inside the hood of a raincoat in a resident’s house in Puerto Ayora. The coat had been draped over an interior wall and the Flycatcher wasted no time in building a nest and laying two eggs in it.

Nests and season

The species breeds during the warm season (December to May), nesting in cavities such as tree cacti, lava rock, or even artificial hollows like nest boxes or pipes. Clutches typically contain 3–5 eggs. Like many Galapagos land birds, it is affected by the parasitic fly Philornis.

Range and evolution

The Galapagos Flycatcher is widespread on most islands except Genovesa and is most common in dry zones, from deciduous lowlands to wetter forested areas. Genetic studies suggest the species descended from a single colonization event around 850,000 years ago from southern Central America.

Where to see them

Around Camp they live up to their curious reputation, flitting through the grounds, sometimes slipping into the main lodge to hawk moths drawn to lights.

Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus nanus)

Also known as Darwin’s Flycatcher, this brilliantly coloured songbird is one of the most striking sights in the Galapagos. The males are a vivid red (the only truly bright land bird in the islands) with black wings and eye markings that extend to the nape. Females and juveniles are much subtler, with brown heads and backs and peach or yellow-tinged underparts.

Endemic to the Galapagos, the Vermilion Flycatcher was long considered a subspecies of the mainland species but is now recognised as distinct. Sadly, its close relative from San Cristobal is now extinct, and populations elsewhere remain small.

Habitat and feeding

These energetic little birds live in the highland and arid forest zones, particularly in Scalesia, Tournefortia, and Zanthoxylum trees. Like other flycatchers, they perch on branches and dart out to snatch insects in mid-air, sometimes dropping to the ground to pick up prey. Their diet of flying insects makes them a familiar sight on warm, still days when insect activity is high.

Breeding and song

The breeding season runs from December to May, coinciding with the warm, wet months. Males perform display flights to attract females, rising straight up while calling. Nests are cup-shaped, built high in trees from mosses and lichen, and usually contain three eggs. Both parents care for the young.

Conservation

The Vermilion Flycatcher is now listed as Near Threatened. It has disappeared from several islands, including Floreana, and remains critically small on Santa Cruz, where only a few dozen individuals survive. Habitat loss and invasive species have contributed to the decline, particularly the parasitic fly Philornis downsi, whose larvae feed on chicks, and the invasive hill raspberry plant (Rubus niveus), which forms dense thickets that make foraging difficult.

Conservation efforts led by the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park have shown promising results. By removing invasive plants, restoring native forests, and controlling Philornis larvae, researchers have seen encouraging breeding success in recent years, including a record number of fledglings on Santa Cruz.

Where to see them

Vermilion Flycatchers can be found on Fernandina, Isabela, and Rabida, and in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where a few pairs still thrive in remnant Scalesia forest. The best time to see them is during the breeding season, when their activity and calls fill the forest with colour and life.