Skip to content 
Around this time of year, the band-rumped storm petrel of the Galapagos Islands begins its second nesting cycle! This species, also among the smallest seabirds in the archipelago, resembles what some visitors may call the “pigeons” of the Galapagos Islands. Additionally, they fly in a captivating pattern that involves gliding quickly down toward the ocean and turning away before they reach the surface. Their comparatively lengthy and weighty wing movements are frequently likened to a bat’s. Because of their webbed feet, they are referred to as “patapegada” or glued feet throughout the islands.
The Storm Petrel in Galapagos
In the Galapagos, storm petrels are usually observed during the daytime, visiting their nesting grounds and feeding at night. Since they are natural aquatic birds, witnessing this behavior on land is relatively unusual because they frequently visit landmasses only during breeding. Because researchers typically have difficulty identifying these swift and little birds while examining them over the water, scientists are still unsure of exactly what these birds are up out at sea (aside from feeding) while they aren’t breading.
The Galapagos storm petrel’s primary means of sustaining itself at sea is philopatry. This innate drive drives them to return to a particular patch of land for feeding or breeding. During this time of year, the monogamous mate of the storm petrel can nearly always be spotted returning to their natal colonies or nesting places in the Galapagos.
The Storm Petrel in Galapagos: A Grounded Nesting Strategy
During the breeding season, storm petrels nest in soft ground, burrowing deep caves into the earth. An alternative is discovering holes or crevices in volcanic rock and then cushioning them with flora. However, the habit of breeding on the surface frequently results in increased predation by invasive species such as cats and rats.
Storm Petrels are frequently found reproducing between May and October. However, they can also be seen as late as December. They have one spouse for life and take turns keeping an eye on their eggs and offspring when they hatch. The eggs are typically nurtured for 50 days until hatching. The youngsters will then huddle in their nests for approximately 70-100 days before taking their first flight out to sea. They will return to the Galapagos (or land, for that matter) once they are full adults capable of reproducing.
Storm Petrels frequently reproduce between May and October. However, they might be spotted as late as December. They have a lifelong partner and alternate watching over their eggs and offspring when they hatch. The eggs are generally fostered for 50 days until hatching. The young will then huddle in their nests for about 70-100 days before making their maiden trip out to sea. When they reach adulthood and can reproduce, they will return to the Galapagos (or any other land).
