Galápagos mockingbird

Nesomimus parvulus

Photo by Ian Hempstead (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
Galápagos mockingbird (en); sabiá-das-Galápagos (pt); moqueur des Galapagos (fr); sinsonte de Galápagos (es); Galapagosspottdrossel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Mimidae

Range:
This species is endemic to the Galápagos Islands, being found in most of the islands in the archipelago with the exception of Floreana, Española and San Cristóbal.
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Size:
These birds are 25-26 cm long and weigh 40-45 g.

Habitat:
The Galápagos mockingbird is found in most habitats available in the islands, including dry and coastal scrublands, mangroves and dry tropical forests such as Bursera woodlands. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on arthropods, such as caterpillars and centipedes, but also take small lava lizards Microlophus sp., sea bird eggs and nestlings, young finches, fruits and nectar from cacti and other plants.

Breeding:
Galápagos mockingbirds are cooperative breeder, living in groups of up to 24 birds including one or several breeding females. They breed mostly in January-April. The nests are made of twigs and placed low on a cactus or small tree. Each female lays 3-4 eggs which are incubated for 12-13 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and by male helpers, fledging 11-17 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively small breeding range but is described as common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.