Essential Information on the Galapagos Mockingbird
Although Darwin’s Finches are the more renowned birds that influenced Charles Darwin's initial ideas about natural selection, it was actually his observations of the Mockingbirds on the Galápagos Archipelago that had the most significant impact on his research. The islands host four species of Mockingbird, with the Galápagos Mockingbird being the most common and frequently encountered by visitors.
Galápagos Mockingbirds are known for their curiosity; they often approach people instead of flying away. Some guests on naturalist cruises have even reported Mockingbirds landing on their heads! Our tour guides are very knowledgeable about all the bird species on the islands and will ensure you have ample opportunities to see them up close.
As suggested by its name, the Galápagos Mockingbird mimics various calls and sounds of other species. They usually nest in trees or cacti but spend a lot of time on the ground, where they can be seen searching for food among the underbrush. Notably, the Hood mockingbird, also called the Española mockingbird, is a particularly bold and sometimes aggressive scavenger. It has even been observed feeding on the blood of living seabirds—an unusual behavior that has earned it the nickname of the Galápagos Islands' own vampire.
While the Galápagos Mockingbird as a whole is not considered threatened and appears to be thriving, one of its subspecies, the critically endangered Floreana Mockingbird, faces severe threats. Floreana was the first island settled by humans, which pushed this native Mockingbird species to the brink of extinction. Today, fewer than 150 individuals of this subspecies remain, confined to two small islets near Floreana. Efforts by the National Park are ongoing to stabilize and protect these delicate populations.
