Essential Information on the White-cheeked Pintail
The primary duck species native to the Galápagos is the small White-Cheeked Pintail, commonly referred to as a “dabbling duck.”
This duck, characterized by its brown chest and distinctive white cheeks, is often seen around the salty waters, brackish lakes, and freshwater lagoons scattered throughout the central and southern regions of the Galápagos. It can reach a length of up to 20 inches (51 cm), and males and females are similar in size and coloration. Your naturalist guide on a Galápagos tour will be able to point out the subtle differences between the sexes.
White-Cheeked Pintails feed on the water's surface, consuming mostly plant matter and small invertebrates found in the silt and sediment of coastal and highland waters. They occasionally dive to evade predators.
While on your Galápagos cruise, you're likely to spot these native ducks frequently. They nest in pairs, building their nests on the ground near their feeding areas. During the breeding season, they may lay up to ten pale brown eggs, which incubate for about 26 days.
Though these ducks can be somewhat wary of humans, your Galápagos cruise guide will know how to approach them gently, allowing for enjoyable close-up views of these endearing birds.
