Galapagos Mockingbird

Galapagos Mockingbird

The Galapagos Mockingbird can be identified by their streaked brown and gray feathers, long tail, and smaller size, and black, angled beak. Like other mockingbirds it is omnivorous, but it is more predatory than the related species in South America. It preys on small lava lizards, insects, centipedes, carrion, seabird eggs, and young finches. Galapagos Mockingbirds are scavengers and unafraid of humans. On Islands like, Espanola, Mockingbirds are known to land on visitors to try to steal a drink of fresh water.

Galapagos Mockingbirds have a very clear call that sometimes varies, but unlike other mockingbirds, Galapagos mockingbirds are not mimics. Although they can fly, they are known to be seen running around more than flying which has led to comparisons to road-runners. There are four species of Mockingbirds endemic to the Galapagos Islands the Galapagos Mockingbird, Chatham Mockingbird (found on San Cristobal Island), Hood Mockingbird (found on Espnaola Island) and Floreana Mockingbird.

Though it is often thought the Finch was the bird that inspired Darwin's Theory of Evolution the truth is the Mockingbird that was his inspiration.