Witnessing the Amazing Blue-Footed Boobies on North Seymour Island

Witnessing the Amazing Blue-Footed Boobies on North Seymour Island

North Seymour Island is part of the Galápagos Islands, a place renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity. Its unique ecosystem, remote location, and geological activity have nurtured a wide variety of rare species that still retain their original, untouched forms. This richness in wildlife continues to attract nature lovers from all over the world.

The Galápagos, often referred to as a “living museum,” also served as a source of inspiration for the renowned scientist Charles Darwin, leading to the development of his groundbreaking theory of evolution, which profoundly changed the way we understand life on Earth.

As soon as we arrived at the dock, a massive dark figure suddenly swooped down from the sky—it turned out to be a large-billed cormorant, also known as an osprey. This bird, thriving with no shortage of food, seems to work tirelessly from dawn to dusk, despite having no real need to.

South Seymour Island is now more commonly referred to as Baltra Island. Interestingly, many islands here have two names: the old ones, remnants of the colonial period, and the new ones, given by the authorities after independence, though the old names remain legally recognized.

What’s fascinating is that North and South Seymour Islands sit side by side—one hosting an airport and the other a haven for birds—peacefully coexisting without disrupting each other, almost like two wings in perfect flight. The sheer variety of birds flying about is dizzying and heart-stopping to witness.

Unlike the other islands in the Galápagos, which were formed by volcanic eruptions, these two islands emerged due to rising sea levels. This might explain why the airport was built here, taking advantage of the island’s unique geography.

North Seymour Island is about the same size as Bartolomé Island, both being uninhabited islands. Yet, they are incredibly popular among visitors. While Bartolomé is celebrated for its breathtaking scenery—a paradise on Earth—North Seymour captivates with its wildlife, making it a true haven for birds.

Stepping onto North Seymour feels like entering a lively, colorful animal playground. The island is bursting with vibrant plants and curious creatures, with birds and animals everywhere, eagerly making their presence known. The sky above the island is alive with birds in constant motion, flying and darting through the air in a spectacular display.

To protect the fragile ecosystem, all activities on the island must be conducted under the guidance of a tour guide, and North Seymour is no exception. Only a small part of the island is open to visitors, with designated trails marked for exploration. We felt both excited and nervous as we closely followed our guide along the restricted paths, careful not to stray or accidentally enter off-limit areas. We were mindful not to disturb the natural residents of the island, these creatures blessed by nature, and even more cautious not to harm the pristine environment—though, in truth, our very presence is a mix of harm and attempted preservation.

Along the trail, we soon spotted a pair of gulls standing by the path. With their distinctive red eye-rings and elegant tuxedo-like plumage, it was easy to recognize them as swallow-tailed gulls. Whether they were officially “on duty” to welcome visitors or simply indifferent to our presence, they stood perfectly still, unbothered by the commotion around them. Our guide explained the reason behind their behavior: swallow-tailed gulls are nocturnal, active at night. During the day, they either stand motionless or drift off into light sleep. Not wanting to disturb them, we quietly moved along.

The blue-footed booby is a species unique to the Galápagos Islands, a rare gem in the natural world. What makes North Seymour Island particularly special is that most of the archipelago’s population of blue-footed boobies resides here, making their sightings a common, yet thrilling experience.

What sets the blue-footed booby apart are, of course, its vibrant blue feet. These striking feet aren’t just for show—they are a key element in their courtship displays. The brighter and bluer the feet, the more attractive the bird is to potential mates. In this world of foot flaunting, blue reigns supreme.

Boobies with black, gray, red, yellow, or brown feet, on the other hand, are considered ordinary seabirds, often blending in with common gulls. Only those with bright blue feet are crowned as nature’s true royalty here.

In addition to showing off their blue feet, male blue-footed boobies charm their mates with quirky, clumsy dance moves that are as amusing as they are awkward. These goofy performances might seem comical to us, but the more peculiar and exaggerated the dance, the more likely they are to win the affection of a female.

Blue-footed boobies are never shy about flaunting their love—they even build their nests right out in the open, completely exposed to the world. For them, the ground is their bed, and the sky their blanket, showing no concern for the curious eyes of visitors.

When we got a closer look, we noticed they were already incubating their eggs. The guide told us that blue-footed boobies usually lay no more than two eggs at a time, each one a precious symbol of their unhidden love.

As we crossed a sandy area on the island, we spotted a large white bird perched atop a grove of trees from afar. As we approached, it turned out to be the biggest bird on the islands—the albatross. With a wingspan of over two meters, its sheer size is imposing. It’s no wonder it claims the highest branches as its domain.

Perched nearby were frigatebirds, the undisputed stars of the Galápagos, known for their elegance, speed, and status as the islands’ most iconic representatives. Like the albatross, the frigatebird is also unique to these islands and commands its own level of influence.

Frigatebirds are extraordinary fliers—they can soar to heights of 1,200 meters and fly against hurricane-force winds. But their aerial prowess isn’t just for survival; it’s also used for mischief. These “pirate birds” have earned their infamous nickname by ambushing other seabirds mid-flight, snatching fish right out of their beaks just as they proudly show off their catch.

But beyond their notorious reputation, frigatebirds are also known for their stunning appearance—one of the reasons they captivate so much attention. Male frigatebirds are born with an impressive red throat pouch, which they inflate dramatically during mating season to attract the gaze—and affection—of potential mates.

As we explored the island, we noticed these bright red pouches everywhere, whether in the air or among the trees. It turns out that this isn’t just for show—once a male inflates his pouch, it stays that way until the female lays her eggs. Truly, even these majestic birds find it hard to resist the charm of love.

Suddenly, we spotted a familiar figure—the same raptor we had seen days ago, soaring wildly atop the summit of Bartolomé Island. This formidable bird is known as the Galápagos hawk, one of the few birds of prey in the archipelago.

Galápagos hawks can often be seen perched on mountaintops or treetops, scanning both land and sea for potential prey. When the moment is right, they strike without hesitation, and few creatures are lucky enough to escape their talons. It’s no surprise that their mere presence sends smaller creatures scrambling for cover.

The lava lizard might seem unremarkable at first glance, but its bright red head and neck are hard to miss, giving it an air of fiery energy. These striking terrestrial lizards love to hide in the cool shade of lush greenery, though they occasionally venture out for a brief appearance when curious tourists pass by. After their moment in the spotlight, they quickly retreat to the shade, content to bask in solitude once more.

While cooling off, these land lizards keep an eye out for fallen cactus fruits or pads to enjoy as a meal. This might explain why the cactus trees here grow so tall—trying to stay out of reach of these hungry lizards!

In stark contrast to the colorful lava lizard, the marine iguana is pitch black, ugly, and even a bit menacing in appearance. However, this creature is unique to the Galápagos Islands and is the only iguana in the world capable of diving into the ocean. Its dark coloration is likely the result of a diet consisting mainly of seaweed.

Perhaps it was this eerie black appearance that inspired Hollywood to use it as the model for Godzilla—earning it a spot among movie stars, in its own way. With these iguanas roaming the islands, the landscape takes on the feel of a prehistoric world brought back to life.

It’s not just the land animals that impress—the marine life is equally fascinating. After bird-watching on the island, our guide promptly took us to a nearby beach for some snorkeling. Behind the sandy shore lies a lagoon where flamingos often gather. Unfortunately, they were out and about during our visit, and we missed the chance to see them.

We also missed out on spotting green sea turtles, one of the island’s most iconic creatures. These adorable, slow-moving turtles are a favorite among tourists. However, since it wasn’t their active season, we spent half a day snorkeling, encountering only a few tropical fish swimming past, with no sign of the turtles anywhere.
The rocks along the beach, however, were teeming with countless bright red crabs. Their vibrant, cooked-looking shells made them especially mouth-watering to look at. But these crabs are a protected species here—strictly off-limits for consumption! All we could do was admire them from a distance.