On August 2, 2016, Oscar Campbell made a highly unusual ornithological observation during a tourist cruise in the Galápagos with Ecuador Experience. The observation involved an adult male Ruff (Calidris/Philomachus pugnax). This marks the first recorded sighting of this species in the Galápagos, bringing Ecuador’s official bird species count to 1680.
There had been a potential sighting on the Santa Elena Peninsula some years ago, but the lack of photographic evidence left doubts about the presence of this migratory bird in Ecuador. The Ruff, a Eurasian breeder, typically winters in Africa.
What is this bird doing on one of the Galápagos Islands?
These shorebirds are closely related to sandpipers and leave their breeding grounds in the Asian and European tundra between June and July. By September (or November for latecomers), they reach Africa’s wetlands, marshes, wet meadows, and coastlines, where they feed on a wide variety of invertebrates such as caddisflies, annelids, beetles, crustaceans, and mollusks. They stay there for the boreal winter, then begin returning to their breeding grounds in mid-February.
It is not uncommon for some migratory birds to stray from their usual routes due to inexperience or unfavorable climatic conditions. For Eurasian populations of the Ruff, there have been regular sightings in the Americas—over 30,000 km from their breeding grounds. However, this is the first confirmed instance of the species being sighted in Ecuador.
The observation site
This first Galápagos sighting was made at the base of Cerro Brujo, a site within the Galápagos National Park located on the northeast coast of San Cristóbal Island, near the Kicker Rock snorkeling area. The bird was spotted near a saline lagoon bordered by halophilic vegetation, including two endemic plant species, Salicornia fructirosa, and Scaevola plumieri. The lagoon’s shallow waters host a rich array of organisms, providing a stable food source. It is likely that the lost Ruff also foraged in the intertidal zones nearby.
Ornithology in the Galápagos
With this new addition, Ecuador’s bird species count rises to 1680, placing the country fourth globally, behind Peru, Brazil, and Colombia. Colombia now boasts a list of 1903 bird species, earning it the reputation as a “Mecca for ornithology.”
The steadily growing bird species numbers in Ecuador and the Neotropical region can likely be attributed to two factors: the increase in local birdwatchers and the rise in international travelers. The accessibility, ease of observation, and incredible biodiversity of these ecosystems continue to attract enthusiasts. Advances in photography and more accessible equipment have also contributed to better documentation, often made by passionate birders during photographic or ornithological trips.
By Xavier Amigo, your specialized guide, still chasing some of Ecuador’s 1680 bird species.
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