Galapagos waved albatrosEspañola Island (Hood) is located in the south eastern corner of the archipelago, and is also one of the oldest ones. Its terrain is quite irregular, and is favoured by many sea birds for its ample nesting habitat.
The island has immediate access to the ocean with its steep cliffs, but it also has an interesting geographic set up where all shores are bathed by the cool waters of the South Equatorial Current (SEC).
One of the island endemics of Española, since it does not nest in any other location of the archipelago, is the Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata). This bird returns to Española Island at the end of first trimester (end of March) and stays here until the last days of the year.
They have a well justified reason for coming back: their reproduction. Naturally, this bird needs the synchronizing of several factors before reaching reproductive success. They need food availability in the ocean, accessible terrain for nesting and walking, and cliffs nearby for taking off.
Different from other sea birds, the albatrosses need to walk from the island’s interior toward the cliffs before flying out. When resting in the surface of the water they will “walk” on water while flapping their wings vigorously before lifting themselves off the ocean.
But the most impressive feature will be having the only chick they rear flying out of Española Island before the arrival of the hot season. The arrival of the warm waters brings some rain, and this causes the rapid growth of vegetation. With this natural obstacle, albatrosses will never make it to the cliffs for flying purposes.
But let’s not forget that warmer waters carry fewer nutrients, and this means not enough food for everyone. Finding these birds on Hood Island is certainly a highlight. You can see them from April to December, but it is now in the dry season where you can see them in their best reproductive stages.
Chronologically, let’s look at their lives: April is for courtship, May is for the eggs, and July shows the first chicks of the season. September and October will be very interesting months, since all juvenile albatrosses will be learning to fly before their island goodbye in late December. Punta Suárez, Española Island is the visitor site where the Waved Albatrosses are found.
The Santa Cruz Galapagos Cruise includes this site every Saturday in their Friday-Monday expedition, while the Isabela II Galapagos Cruise is there every Wednesday in their Tuesday-Tuesday expedition. Watching the waved albatrosses generates a unique emotion. Come with us and experience it.
ALBATROSS FACTOIDS:
Weight: 3-4 Kg (6-9 pounds)
Wingspan: 2 metres (6.6 feet)
Population: approx. 34,000 individuals
Incubation: 60 days
Longevity: 40-50 years
For travel planning to discover the Waved Albatros land visit the following links:
- Galapagos Islands Cruises
- MV Santa Cruz Galapagos Islands Cruise description
- Isabela II yacht Galapagos Islands Cruise description
- Galapagos Islands Cruises and Tours
- Finch Bay Galapagos Islands Hotel
Bookmark/Search this post with:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
