Migrants in the Galápagos Area

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Sixty-three spp. of migrant birds, of which 50 are of certain identity, are listed for the Galapagos area. Thirty-seven spp. are documented with specimens, and 17 are reported in the Galapagos for the 1st time. The migrants fall conveniently into 3 groups. The petrel group is represented by 8 spp., all of which are known for their long- distance migrations. The scarcity of migrant procellari-iforms in Galapagos waters may be inversely correlated with the relative abundance of the 6 local spp. The American mainland group is a heterogeneous group of widely distributed aquatic and terrestrial species that are distinguished by long-distance migrations. The charadriiform group is the largest of the 3 assemblages, both in numbers of spp. and individuals. This group clearly demonstrates the inverse relationship between the numbers of resident and migrant spp. There are only 2 spp. of resident shore birds, but there are at least 23 migrant spp. There are 4 resident spp. of larids, all common and in places abundant, but only the Franklin gull is a regular visitor.