Transition months in Galápagos

April and May are months that experience a decline in rainfall every year (March is historically the rainiest month in the Galápagos- yet in comparison to other areas with the same latitude, it rains less) where temperatures of sea and air tend to stabilize. During this time visitors see the results of terrestrial reproduction (juvenile land birds and animals) as well as the dawn of the reproduction cycle for marine species.

Towards the end of March, and beginning of April, for instance, the waved albatross reappears in Galápagos. These impressive birds abandon the archipelago from January to the end of March, moving to pelagic (open sea) areas, especially in front of the coasts of southern South America. Their large body-size and wingspan are a disadvantage for take-off when winds diminish in strength or even disappear during the warm season.

With the reappearance of southern marine currents, the winds and food availability increase. This opens the return of waved albatrosses to Galápagos, specifically to their native Española (Hood Island). These transition months allow guests to marvel at their beauty and their impressive nuptial performances. The waved albatross is the largest marine bird in Galápagos, and the only tropical-breeding albatross in the world.