Galapagos Pintail Duck - Birdwatching - Ecuador

Anas bahamensis galapagensis

The Galapagos Pintail Duck is a medium-sized duck with brown and white feathers. It is easily identified by its white cheeks and colorful red and blue bill. It is a subspecies of the Bahama or White-Cheeked Pintail and is endemic to the Islands.

Ducks are rare in Galapagos, but there are enough highland ponds and coastal lagoons for the Pintail to thrive. Like other endemic species, it has adapted well to Galapagos life, feeding and breeding opportunistically as conditions permit.

They are best observed in the highlands of Santa Cruz or San Cristobal Islands, but can occasionally be seen puttering around a coastal lagoon. The brackish ponds of the visitor center on Isabela Island is a good place to see them as well. They feed on small plants and marine life.

Birdwatching