Floreana Island
A curious bird watches us from the top of a “holy tree.” It is a species unique to this archipelago, the large-billed flycatcher, also known as Galápagos flycatcher. After we pass underneath its peculiar long tail, it decides to follow the group from tree to tree along the trail. It lands on a dry “palo verde,” and then on a spiny mesquite. When I stop to talk about flamingos, the bird lands very close to me, gaining the attention of every guest. They prefer to hear about this winged creature with sulphur-yellow belly and whitish neck close by, rather than about the pink flamingoes in the brackish waters. The flamingoes can wait!
This small bird belongs to the new world flycatcher group and is widespread on all the main islands of the Galápagos. It is fairly territorial and can lay up to four eggs in a nest of vegetable matter in holes in trees or cactus, or even in an old finch nest. After the little explanation about its habits we continue the walk toward the white organic beach, to see green sea turtle nests. The flycatcher appears again, and makes its “wheet-we” call. More than fifty cow nose golden rays swim in the turquoise waters of the bay, there is a magnificent frigate flying over, and dozens of sally light-foot crabs crowd the lava flow. However every one is enchanted by the “wheet-we” call and the curiosity of our perseverant new friend, the Galápagos flycatcher.
A curious bird watches us from the top of a “holy tree.” It is a species unique to this archipelago, the large-billed flycatcher, also known as Galápagos flycatcher. After we pass underneath its peculiar long tail, it decides to follow the group from tree to tree along the trail. It lands on a dry “palo verde,” and then on a spiny mesquite. When I stop to talk about flamingos, the bird lands very close to me, gaining the attention of every guest. They prefer to hear about this winged creature with sulphur-yellow belly and whitish neck close by, rather than about the pink flamingoes in the brackish waters. The flamingoes can wait!
This small bird belongs to the new world flycatcher group and is widespread on all the main islands of the Galápagos. It is fairly territorial and can lay up to four eggs in a nest of vegetable matter in holes in trees or cactus, or even in an old finch nest. After the little explanation about its habits we continue the walk toward the white organic beach, to see green sea turtle nests. The flycatcher appears again, and makes its “wheet-we” call. More than fifty cow nose golden rays swim in the turquoise waters of the bay, there is a magnificent frigate flying over, and dozens of sally light-foot crabs crowd the lava flow. However every one is enchanted by the “wheet-we” call and the curiosity of our perseverant new friend, the Galápagos flycatcher.
