Galapagos hawk

The Galapagos hawk is a captivating bird indigenous to the Galapagos Islands. Comparable in size to North American hawks, its dimensions can differ slightly based on the specific island it inhabits. Adult Galapagos hawks typically exhibit a brownish-black plumage with various markings, while juveniles display a more camouflaged brown appearance to blend seamlessly with their environment.

As apex predators, these hawks possess exceptional vision and maintain a diverse diet that encompasses insects, lizards, snakes, rodents, and even stolen eggs. Notably, they engage in group hunting, with a distinct hierarchical structure where the dominant hawk feeds first.

Galapagos hawks can mate at any time throughout the year. They construct their nests either in trees or on the ground, with both males and females sharing nesting responsibilities. Generally, only one chick is reared at a time, leaving the nest after approximately 50-60 days and attaining sexual maturity around three years of age. Their call is characterized by a series of short screams.

Currently, there are roughly 150 breeding pairs of these hawks remaining. However, their population is under threat from factors such as habitat disruption, food scarcity, and human persecution, which have led to their extinction on several islands.

Investigations into the Galapagos hawk's mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) indicate that their ancestors arrived on the islands approximately 300,000 years ago. This positions them among the most recent native species to establish a presence in the Galapagos.