14 Unique Animals of the Galapagos Islands
8
of 14
Galapagos Hawk
Hawk with cream colored and brown spotted plumage standing on a nest made of a pile of sticks
A.Davey / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
As the only diurnal raptor to inhabit the islands, the Galapagos hawk is hard to miss. Though it mostly preys on small animals such as locusts, centipedes, and lizards, this raptor is a top predator known to swoop down on iguanas and giant tortoise hatchlings.
Despite being a top predator, the hawks' population is not exceptionally high, with an estimated 270-330 mature hawks in existence. Human retaliation because of hawk predatory behavior toward farm animals and pets and competition for prey from invasive species has limited the population.
of 14
Galapagos Hawk
Hawk with cream colored and brown spotted plumage standing on a nest made of a pile of sticks
A.Davey / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
As the only diurnal raptor to inhabit the islands, the Galapagos hawk is hard to miss. Though it mostly preys on small animals such as locusts, centipedes, and lizards, this raptor is a top predator known to swoop down on iguanas and giant tortoise hatchlings.
Despite being a top predator, the hawks' population is not exceptionally high, with an estimated 270-330 mature hawks in existence. Human retaliation because of hawk predatory behavior toward farm animals and pets and competition for prey from invasive species has limited the population.
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31 August 2023
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