The Galapagos Islands is one of the greatest of all bird watching destinations.
In Galapagos there are around 120 bird species, some of which are endemic in the islands, found there and nowhere else on earth. |
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Many others are globally rare, but because of their isolation from the mainland they are unafraid of humans and more approachable than anywhere else.
The most important are penguins, frigate birds, albatrosses, seagulls, boobies, pelicans, the flightless cormorant and Galapagos hawks among others.
The Española Island is residence for almost the entire world's population of the waved albatross, with its magnificent wing span of almost 10 ft (240cm).
Around 12,000 pairs arrive in early April to breed and nest and leave in December.
Courtship, a marvelous choreographed ritual lasting up to 20 minutes, reaches its peak in October with the new-found couple then waiting until the following year to breed.
Birdwatching is the very best kind of fun: easy, inexpensive, healthful and satisfying. |
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