Galapagos Hawk

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Sleek, strong and a skilled hunter, the Galapagos hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) is an apex predator endemic to the Galapagos Islands. The North American ancestors of this beautiful bird of prey are believed to have come to the Galapagos some 300,000 years ago, and it has since adapted to life on various islands of the archipelago.

As Darwin found with other species during his time on the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos hawk not only differs from its ancient ancestors, but also shows variations between different islands of the archipelago. For example, adult male Galapagos hawks on Española Island weigh up to 2.5 pounds, placing them among the largest buteos, or hawks, in the world. But on Marchena Island (not currently open to visitors), where the smallest hawks have been recorded, males average 1.86 pounds, significantly smaller than their not-so-distant relatives. Wingspans also differ greatly across the islands, with adult wingspans ranging from 46 to 55 inches.

Whatever their size, all Galapagos hawks have one thing in common: they are excellent hunters. Soaring at anywhere between 165 feet and 650 feet, the hawks scan the landscape for prey, which may include anything from giant centipedes to locusts, snakes, lizards, rodents, juvenile iguanas and turtle hatchlings. When they strike, they use their forceful beaks and fearsome feet and talons to quickly dispatch of their prey. They also scavenge, happily feeding on rancid carrion when necessary.

Being an apex predator, Galapagos hawks have almost no fear of humans, happily ignoring them even when they come close. As Darwin wrote after his trip to the Galapagos: “A gun is here almost superfluous; for with the muzzle I pushed a hawk out of the branch of a tree.”

Humans, however, have contributed directly to the precarious situation in which the Galapagos hawk now finds itself. Since humans arrived on the islands — and cats along with them — the hawk population has dwindled. They are now extinct on some islands and are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, which puts the total population at between 270 and 330 mature individuals. Today they are mainly seen on the larger islands, including Isabela and Fernandina.

Read more about the Galapagos Hawk at Galapagos Conservation Trust.

Galapagos Cruises Where You are Likely to See the Galapagos Hawk

Other Galapagos Wildlife

American Flamingo / Blue-Footed Booby / Flightless Cormorant / Frigatebirds: Great and Magnificent / Galapagos Fur Seal / Galapagos Giant Tortoise / Galapagos Penguin / Galapagos Sea Lion / Land Iguana / Marine Iguana / Nazca Booby / Red-Footed Booby / Santa Fe Land Iguana / Waved Albatross

Galapagos Travel Guide

Galapagos Tours & Cruises / Galapagos & Machu Picchu Tours / Galapagos Land-Based Tours / Galapagos FAQ / Galapagos Weather / Galapagos Accommodations / Top Galapagos Activities by Land or by Sea / Galapagos Wildlife Calendar / Galapagos Packing List / Galapagos Blog Posts / Galapagos Cruise Deals / Galapagos Islands Map

The Main Galapagos Islands and Visitor Sites

Baltra Island / Bartolomé Island / Chinese Hat Islet / Eden Islet / Española Island / Fernandina Island / Floreana Island / Genovesa Island / Isabela Island / Mosquera Islet / North Seymour Island / Rábida Island / San Cristóbal Island / Santa Cruz Island / Santa Fe Island / Santiago Island / South Plaza Island

Galapagos Cruise Ships

Galapagos Legend / Santa Cruz II / La Pinta / Isabela II / Coral I & II / Galapagos Sea Star Journey / Infinity / Natural Paradise / Horizon / Petrel / Treasure of Galapagos / Galapagos Seaman Journey / EcoGalaxy

Other Galapagos Tours

Ecuador Amazon Tours / Ecuador & Chile Tours / Ecuador & Peru Tours / Galapagos Adventure Tours / Galapagos & Amazon Tours / Galapagos Luxury Tours / Galapagos, Machu Picchu, & Easter Island Tours / Galapagos Wildlife Tours / Machu Picchu & Galapagos Tours / Peru & Ecuador Tours / Quito to Galapagos Tours

Galapagos Cruises by Duration

4-Day Galapagos Cruises / 5-Day Galapagos Cruises / 6-Day Galapagos Cruises / 7-Day Galapagos Cruises / 8-Day Galapagos Cruises

Ecuador Travel Guide

Ecuador Tours & Travel / Ecuador FAQ / Ecuador Weather / Ecuador Accommodations / Ecuador Blog Posts

Top Ecuador Travel Destinations

Baños / Cuenca / Guayaquil / Otavalo / Quito / The Ecuadorian Amazon / The Galapagos Islands

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