Galápagos Hawk

Galapagos Hawk. Photo by Karey Fuhs.

The Galápagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis, gavilán de Galápagos) is an impressive and fearless large, dark brown bird of prey. Adults have a dark banded tail, yellow, hooked bill, and strong yellow talons. The female has the same general features but has a larger, more imposing stature. Juveniles are lighter brown and heavily mottled.

Nests—large, disorganized conglomerations of twigs—are usually constructed in trees or on a rocky outcrop. Following an unusual mating system termed “cooperative polyandry,” each female will mate with up to four males, which take turns incubating the two or three eggs in the nest and raising the young. Young birds are expelled from the territory after about four months and begin to breed two years later.

A fearsome predator and scavenger with no natural enemies, the Galápagos hawk delights in a smorgasbord of foods, especially baby iguanas, lizards, small birds, dead goats or sea lions, and sea lion placenta. It can often be seen flying or perching impatiently near an iguana nesting area during April and May, when baby iguanas begin to emerge from their eggs. The hawk is best viewed at Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay (Española), South Plaza, Santa Fé, and Punta Espinosa (Fernandina).

Eco-Tour

Latin American Destinations - Galapagos Cruises & Tours We will take you to discover one of the most amazing sites in the world: Galapagos Islands!! www.latinamericandestinations.com

4 & 5** Custom & Scheduled Tours by www.SouthAmerica.travel Create your own travel itinerary with our custom Travel Planner, or choose from one of our 100s of carefully designed itineraries. Special escorted departures. SouthAmerica.travel

Galapagos Christmas Cruise - Reserve your place with EQ Touring Luxury Tours and Cruises in Galapagos, private charters, multisport adventures, cultural tours, first class accommodation. Ask for our fixed departures and trip extensions to the Amazon rainforest and Peru. www.eqtouring.com