The rediscovery of the Galapagos pachay on Floreana Island offers new hope for conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts.
A bird once thought to be extinct for almost two centuries has been rediscovered on Floreana Island in Ecuador’s Galapagos archipelago, marking a breakthrough for conservation efforts in the region.
Scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and Galapagos National Park Directorate confirmed the presence of the Galapagos pachay (Laterallus spilonota), a small, elusive land bird previously recorded on the island by Charles Darwin in 1835. It was long believed to have vanished from Floreana due to habitat loss and the introduction of invasive species. The recent sighting is the first official record of the species on the island in nearly 190 years.
A Stealthy Survivor
The Galapagos pachay, weighing between 35 and 45 grams, has dark gray plumage, a brown back, red eyes, and fine white spots on its body. Juveniles appear mostly gray without the characteristic spots. The bird is known for its secretive nature, typically hiding in dense vegetation and producing distinctive vocalizations, including clicks, chirps, and rattling sounds.
Despite its elusive behavior, scientists identified the bird at three different sites within Floreana’s transition zone, an area covered in guava trees and grasslands, far from agricultural development. Researchers documented six acoustic recordings, two visual sightings, and a photograph—solid proof that the species has persisted in the region.
The Role of Conservation Efforts
The discovery coincides with a large-scale conservation initiative aimed at restoring Floreana’s ecosystem. In late 2023, a collaborative effort led by the Galapagos National Park Directorate and the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation, with support from Island Conservation and other partners, launched an extensive campaign to eradicate invasive species such as feral cats and rodents, which had devastated native wildlife.
According to Victor Carrión, Island Restoration Coordinator for Jocotoco’s Galapagos Program, the success of this program likely created a safer environment for the Galapagos pachay’s survival and potential population growth. “It is very likely that reducing the impact of invasive predators has provided this bird with the conditions it needed to persist on Floreana,” he said.
A Question of Reintroduction or Survival?
For researchers, the key question is whether the rediscovered birds represent a previously unknown surviving population or if they recolonized the island from nearby locations. Birgit Fessl, principal investigator of the CDF’s landbird conservation program, leans toward the idea that the species was never fully extinct on Floreana but rather remained undetected due to its low numbers and secretive nature.
“These birds are not strong fliers, so it is unlikely that they recolonized the island from other locations,” she explained. “Their presence at multiple sites suggests they have always been here, just in extremely small numbers.”
To resolve this question, scientists plan to conduct genetic sampling to determine whether the newly recorded individuals belong to a long-lost Floreana lineage or if they descended from birds found on other islands in the Galapagos.
Hope for Restoration
The rediscovery of the Galapagos pachay is a significant milestone in the Floreana restoration project, which had listed the bird as one of twelve species targeted for reintroduction. Arturo Izurieta, director of the Galapagos National Park, emphasized that the finding highlights nature’s resilience when given the chance to recover.
“This discovery shows that ecosystems can bounce back if we remove threats and allow nature to heal,” he said. “The eradication of invasive species has not only benefitted this bird but also the entire ecological balance of Floreana.”
While the species remains classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), its presence on Floreana once again offers hope for ongoing conservation efforts across the Galapagos archipelago. Scientists and conservationists will continue to monitor the population closely, ensuring that this long-lost bird remains part of the island’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.
I loved reading that ecosystems can bounce back when threats are removed to allow nature to heal. This provides hope to conservation efforts.