Larger Land Birds of Galapagos

Category: Larger Land Birds
Endemic Subspecies: Galapagos Dove

Eight species of larger land birds have been recorded in Galapagos, five of which are resident including one endemic species. The larger land birds can be conveniently divided into three groups: Pigeons & Doves, Kingfishers and Cuckoos.

GALAPAGOS DOVE

 

Scientific Name: Zenaida galapagoensis
Family: Columbidae
Length: 18 - 23 cm (7 - 9 in)

Pigeons and doves are small to medium-sized, rather plump birds with small heads which are bobbed back and forth when they are walking. They have relatively small, straight bills and short legs. In flight, pigeons and doves are fast and direct with rapid wingbeats. The sexes are alike and immature plumages resemble adult plumage.

Identification: Unmistakable; the only dove likely to be encountered away from human habitation. ADULT: Head, neck and breast reddish-brown, belly buffish. Distinctive pattern on ear-coverts: a white stripe bordered by black lines. Iridescent bronze-green patch on side of neck. Scapulars and wing-coverts black-sported with white edging. Eye-ring bright blue; legs red. JUVENILE: Similar to adult but plumage generally duller.

Behavior: Often very confiding.

BELTED KINGFISHER

Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon
Family: Alcedinidae
Length: 28 - 33 cm (11 - 13 in)

Kingfishers are small to medium-sized, stocky birds with short legs and necks, large heads and very large, daggershaped bills which are used to catch fish. The only species recorded in Galapagos, the Belted Kingfisher, is large with unmistakable plumage.

Identification: Unmistakable; the only kingfisher recorded in Galapagos. Stockily built, with large, crested head and strong, dagger-likebill. Adults are blue-grey above, with a broad white collar. Underparts mainly white with, in male, a single blue-grey breast-band and in female an additional rufous band across the upper belly, extending to the flanks. Juveniles resemble adults, but have rufous tones to the breast-band.

Behavior: Perches or hovers over water, plunging head first to catch fish.

Scientific Name: Coccyzus melacoryphus
Family: Cuculidae
Length: 27 cm (10.7 in)

Cuckoos are medium-sized, long-tailed, short-necked birds with long pointed wings, resembling falcons in flight. They have short legs with two toes on each foot pointing forwards and two backwards. Most species of cuckoo have relatively short, stout bills, although the family also includes the black-plumaged anis which have large, ridged upper mandibles. Cuckoos are confined to the wetter, vegetated areas in Galápagos. The sexes are alike and immature plumages resemble adult plumage.

Identification: A slim cuckoo, with a long tail and black, slightly decurved bill. ADULT: Greyish-brown above, buffbelow. Head dark grey, with blackish mask behind eye. Tail bronze above, black with white tips below. JUVENILES: Similar to adult but generally duller, with buff tips to wing-coverts, and no white tips to underside of tail.

Behavior: A secretive species, more often heard than seen, and usually glimpsed disappearing into undergrowth.