Western Shrike-tit

A large and rather parrot-billed Galápagos finch. Bill is about as long as it is deep, with a very round upper edge and slightly curved lower edge. Male has a black hood and bill, a sooty back, and a yellowish belly with dark streaks. Female is tan with a pale bill, a whitish or yellowish belly, and brown streaks on the underparts. Very similar to Large Tree-Finch, which is smaller and smaller-billed. Most likely to be encountered in forest at middle elevations on the larger islands. Not present on the islands of Española, Genovesa, and Santa Fé.

Rather large, overall bright green hummingbird of highlands. Favors pine-oak forest and edge, especially overgrown clearings and roadsides with dense flower banks. Fairly common and is especially conspicuous when singing. Song is a jerky, metallic, chipping song given tirelessly from an exposed twig at middle to upper levels in trees. When feeding often stays fairly well hidden within flowers. Note overall deep green plumage with dark violet cheek and breast patches, and broad dark tail band.

Large and gangly seabird that nests only in Galápagos and on Isla de la Plata (a small island near Ecuador’s central coast). When not breeding, it disperses over the eastern Pacific Ocean as far south as Chile. The only albatross likely to be seen in and near Galápagos. Adult is brown with a white head and neck and a large, yellow bill. Head and neck have a slight yellow tinge. Young birds are almost all brown and gradually develop the white head. Can be seen on land only at nesting sites, where pairs engage in elaborate courtship displays. Outside of the breeding season, it is usually only encountered far out to sea.