Ecuador 2017 - Isla de la Plata

On Monday Victor, Melany and I went to Isla de la Plata (Silver Island). This island is also known as the 'poor man's Galapagos', because it has great birdlife and marine life, and a beautiful landscape, but is only 40km from the coast, thus is a lot cheaper to visit! Before we even got to Puerto Lopez, the town where the boats leave from, we were seeing new species, including Magnificent Frigatebirds and Brown Pelicans. The closer we got to Puerto Lopez and the island, the more birds we saw! Approaching the island, there were several hundred Frigatebirds flying overhead! The all black birds with the red throat sacs are males. The male inflates his 'red balloon' during the breeding season to attract a mate. The birds with the black heads and white under parts are adult females, and the birds with the white heads are immature birds.

Magnificent Frigatebirds, Isla de la Plata

Magnificent Frigatebird, immature, Isla de la Plata

 In Puerto Lopez and the island we also saw hundreds of Peruvian and Brown Pelicans. The Peruvian Pelicans are a bit larger, and tend to have brighter white head markings, and a lighter, more colourful bill, as well as a birght white wing patch. Brown Pelicans are a bit smaller and duller, but plumages can vary and sometimes the two species can be difficult to tell apart.

Peruvian Pelican, Isla de la Plata

Brown Pelican, Isla de la Plata

 In Puerto Lopez we went into a tour operator's shop and asked about going to the island. Luckily for us there was a boat going soon! It only cost USD$40 per person, and was a 5 hour trip including an island walk and bird viewing, optional snorkelling, and snacks. 

As our boat approached the island, we were greeted by a friendly Green Seaturtle.

Green Seaturtle, Isla de la Plata

House Wren at a resting shelter, Isla de la Plata

 On the island, we were told we have two options for a walk, both not too long because the longer trails were closed for revegetation. One option was to climb further up to see the Magnificent Frigatebird colony, and the second option was to see the Blue-footed Boobies, with the chance to also see flying Frigatebirds, Nazca Boobies, and Red-billed Tropicbirds. The tour group chose the second option, and we weren't disappointed! We went on a steep climb up about 150 stairs, and then a long, mostly flat trail to the other side of the island. We had beautiful views of the coast line. 

  

Isla de la Plata

Island de la Plata

 As we got close to the cliffs, we could see many birds flying around including Magnificent Frigatebirds, Nazca Boobies, Red-billed Tropicbirds, and Blue-footed Boobies!  

Nazca Booby, Isla de la Plata

Red-billed Tropicbird, Isla de la Plata

Red-billed Tropicbird, Isla de la Plata

 Soon we saw our first Blue-footed Boobies sitting around on the cliffs. Our guide explained to us that the blue colour of their feet comes from their food source, which is mostly sardines. Immature birds don't get the blue feet until they are two years old when they become reproductively mature.

Blue-footed Booby, immature, Isla de la Plata

Blue-footed Booby, Isla de la Plata

Blue-footed Booby, Isla de la Plata

Blue-footed Booby, Isla de la Plata

Blue-footed Booby, Isla de la Plata

Blue-footed Booby, Isla de la Plata

Blue-footed Booby, flying away, Isla de la Plata

I love those blue feet! Seeing these birds was a dream come true for me, I have wanted to see them for many years. I was lucky to get so close to them and to watch them for half an hour or more.