Galapagos Mockingbird

Where to Look

Similar Galapagos Species

Espanola Mockingbird

Identification

The only mockingbird within its range.

Description

Like other Galapagos Mockingbirds, this species has dark grey-brown upperparts, whitish underparts and dark ear coverts. Compared to the other three species however, the Galapagos Mockingbird has a shorter more thickly set bill, fewer dark brown markings on its flanks (all but absent in many birds) and a brownish wash instead of distinct markings on its breast. As is the case with all of the islands mockingbirds, males are slightly larger than females but otherwise sexes are alike.

Galapagos Distribution

The most widespread of the four Galapagos mockingbirds, resident on all islands except San Cristobal, Espanola, Floreana, Pinzon, Bartolome, North Seymour and these islands’ adjacent islets.

Global Distribution

Endemic to the Galapagos.

Status in the Galapagos

A common to very common endemic resident with 6 subspecies best distinguished through their separate distributions. These are: M.p. parvulus (Isabela, Fernandina, Santa Cruz, Daphne and adjacent islets), M.p.barringtoni (Santa Fe), M.p. personatus (Rabida, Santiago, Pinta, Marchena), M.p. wenmani (Wolf), M.p. hulli (Darwin), M.p. bauri (Genovesa).