Every year at this time, Galapagos albatrosses have their sights fixed on Española Island for a single, extremely unique reason. For all the albatrosses on Española Island, it’s a reasonably big deal. Since we’re only now hearing about the groups coming in large numbers to start courtship flights, it’s something to talk about.
One of the uncommon natural behaviors in the entire archipelago involving the mass migration of an endemic bird to a single location is the presence of albatrosses on Española Island. This means that many lovers who have been separated for a year are excited to see each other again.
Their huge wingspan, which can reach up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), makes them the largest bird in the Galapagos and among the largest maritime birds in the world. This makes them a spectacular sight to watch as they go to Española.
Because of their extraordinary longevity, they are also thought to be among the world’s longest-living birds—some have reached the age of 66!
Galapagos albatrosses on Española Island: Reigniting the Flame
Nonetheless, Galapagos albatrosses flock to the island of Española in large numbers during March and April to attract the albatross women’s interest through some quite elegant courtship performances. It is picky and selective when choosing a partner, especially on its first attempt, as it is one of the few bird species that mate for life. Galapagos albatrosses of Española Island are largely monogamous birds; nevertheless, 25% of them “dabble” and find another pair to mate with during mating season. Almost every mating season, the birds pair with the mate they had the year before.
Between mid-April and July, the female albatross will lay an egg that typically hatches around two months later.
Courting Like a Galapagos Albatross
Imagine being unable to distinguish a former partner based on their looks but rather being quite adept at recognizing them based on how they move. This is how the Galapagos albatross remembers its former partner, the same one it flew all this way to reconnect with once more. It’s almost like having a long-distance love that’s finally been fulfilled!
The ensuing wooing ritual confirms that their former partner was genuinely remarkable. When the Galapagos albatrosses settle in, they start by banging their beaks together a lot. This creates an odd noise, occasionally broken up by squawks and little stops where they balance on their legs and gesture toward the sky. The goal here is to utilize their dance as a kind of “fingerprint” that will enable them to identify whether or not this is the person they partnered with the year before.
Video by: Rauken
As viewers take in this setting, they are treated to a very endearing and fun demonstration of “judgment” centered around a mix of these peculiar “percussion instruments.”
On the Santa Cruz II Galapagos cruise itinerary, you may visit Española Island, the sole island home to the Galapagos albatross, in April when traveling via the Eastern Islands!
You will witness various wildlife while visiting the Galapagos, not just albatrosses. Among the fauna you will undoubtedly have the opportunity to see are Galapagos giant tortoises, red-footed boobies, Galapagos sea lions, and sea turtles, to mention a few. These also belong to our BIG15 iconic species!
