A Hood Mockingbird, or Espanola Mockingbird, in the Galapagos Islands
This mean looking guy got his picture taken not because I thought he looked cool, but because he was being aggressive.
Called a Hood Mockingbird, or Española Mockingbird (as they’re on found on Espanola Island), they have no fear of people and are happy to fly by and harass you! They’re one of the Galapagos bird species that will attack if you have an open container of water, even if you’re taking a sip from your water bottle!
One of four mockingbird species in the Galapagos, the Espanola Mockingbird is listed as a vulnerable species. Interestingly, this is the only mockingbird species that Charles Darwin failed to see or capture during his time on the islands.
One of the most striking antelopes I saw in Africa was the Topi. A deep suede looking coat with near black highlights, it was uniquely different to the common impala, puku and other light-coated antelopes running around.
They’re a bit similar to the hartebeest, but with bolder colouring, dark faces and ringed horns that only have a gradual turn to them.
They’re not endangered, but different subspecies are facing troubles across parts of central Africa. They’re plentiful in the well-protected parks of east Africa, this one what photographed in the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania.
One of the first small birds that I learned the name of. Not being a birder, I first was attracted to the Green bee-eater because if it’s flashy colours, not something I’d ever seen at home in Canada.
After seeing plenty of these small birds around Africa and Asia, I quickly learned what bee-eaters generally looked like. This specific Little Green Bee-eater is the orientalis subspecies, found in India and Sri Lanka. It’s main unique feature is the yellow / rusty brown colour patch on it’s head.
The Common Impala is one of the most abundant animals in Africa. Found all across the grasslands of East Africa, it is fairly easy to distinguish from other antelopes.
It has a rusty-brown colour, with slightly lighter legs and lower markings. A white underbelly and black-tipped ears are also a feature of the Common Impala.
Perhaps their most ‘famous’ marking is on their rear, with black and white markings forming what looks like the letter “M”. They are a popular meal for predators like lions and leopards.
Because of their abundant numbers and their “M” marking, many people call them the fast-food, or McDonalds of Africa!
It is nearly impossible to come up with a favourite animal from the Galapagos Islands, but the Land Iguana was definitely one of my favourites.
Their sometimes bright yellow colour was pretty cool, as was watching them eat. Their main source of food is the prickly-pear cactus and I saw some land iguanas fighting over this favourite food at South Plaza Island. It was kind of amusing watch them engage in a tug-of-war battle over a cactus pod.
Sure, they’re not exactly cute and cuddly like baby seals, but with their wrinkly skin, big claws and bumpy-scaly heads I think they have their own charm.
