Genovesa Island
This paradisiacal island always offers us the most enthralling opportunities to enjoy with delight an incredible amount of birds. Not only can we watch them at very close range but we are privileged to observe their behavior. Beautiful birds like red footed and Nazca boobies, frigate birds, tropic birds, swallow tailed gulls, fulfill the most demanding expectations.
The endemic lava gull (Larus fulliginosus) is a distinctive bird that is often overlooked because of its dull, dark plumage. It is rare; in fact it is one of the rarest gulls in the world. This gull species is found only in the Galapagos archipelago, and has widespread range though it is not abundant. To date it is impossible to know with accuracy the real population size of these gulls. Experts believe that the total number of these unique birds is probably just 200 pairs! It is a shame that the beauty of these gulls is eclipsed by the colorful neighbors with whom they share Galapagos. Personally for me the lava gull’s uniqueness, simplicity and gracefulness makes up for its lack of color. Today was truly a day to remember. For the first time I saw a pair of lava gulls nesting. Very few nesting sites of these gulls have ever been found. Today’s find was an exceptional event, and was a wonderful surprise that nature gave to us!
This paradisiacal island always offers us the most enthralling opportunities to enjoy with delight an incredible amount of birds. Not only can we watch them at very close range but we are privileged to observe their behavior. Beautiful birds like red footed and Nazca boobies, frigate birds, tropic birds, swallow tailed gulls, fulfill the most demanding expectations.
The endemic lava gull (Larus fulliginosus) is a distinctive bird that is often overlooked because of its dull, dark plumage. It is rare; in fact it is one of the rarest gulls in the world. This gull species is found only in the Galapagos archipelago, and has widespread range though it is not abundant. To date it is impossible to know with accuracy the real population size of these gulls. Experts believe that the total number of these unique birds is probably just 200 pairs! It is a shame that the beauty of these gulls is eclipsed by the colorful neighbors with whom they share Galapagos. Personally for me the lava gull’s uniqueness, simplicity and gracefulness makes up for its lack of color. Today was truly a day to remember. For the first time I saw a pair of lava gulls nesting. Very few nesting sites of these gulls have ever been found. Today’s find was an exceptional event, and was a wonderful surprise that nature gave to us!
