Galápagos Mockingbird: Facts and Where to See It

Galápagos has four mockingbird species, each on its own islands. On the Beagle voyage in 1835, Darwin described the Floreana mockingbird first and then found three more; the differences between them, all from one ancestor, became part of his evidence for evolution by natural selection.

The Galápagos mockingbird looks very like the others but has a mostly unmarked belly; young birds carry chevron marks on the breast and sides.

Galápagos mockingbirds live in dry lowlands with scattered trees or Opuntia cactus, sometimes in the highlands. They eat insects, fruit, small lizards and crabs, peck ticks from iguanas, and on Santa Fé have been seen drinking blood from marine and land iguanas. They live in groups of 2 to 20 birds that defend a territory together; several pairs breed in each group, nesting in cactus or acacia, and other members help raise the young.

The guide sighting records note Galápagos mockingbirds as present across their islands and rate them Possible on most landings there. Of the 3 sites listed by name, Darwin Bay on Genovesa, Santa Fé Bay and Rábida Beach are rated Rare as specific sightings. On Española, around Floreana and on San Cristóbal, other mockingbird species take their place.

Galápagos mockingbirds can be seen all year round. In the next twelve months, 602 departures stop at a site where they are recorded.

No. It is listed as Least Concern and the population is stable. Rats and cats eat the birds and their eggs, the larvae of the avian vampire fly kill nestlings, and avian pox raises deaths among young birds after they leave the nest. The species benefits from work to remove invasive animals and is protected by the national park.

1. Feeding a curious mockingbird. Park rules forbid feeding wildlife.
2. Bringing food ashore. Park rules make visitors responsible for not introducing food into the archipelago.
3. Assuming all mockingbirds are the same. Each island group has its own species.