December marks the start of one of the most exciting activities of the year in Galápagos: the Christmas Bird Count. Now in its ninth consecutive year, this event, organized by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) in collaboration with key partners, combines science, community, and fun to celebrate and protect the incredible diversity of birds on our islands.

December marks the start of one of the most exciting activities of the year in Galápagos: the Christmas Bird Count. Now in its ninth consecutive year, this event, organized by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) in collaboration with key partners, combines science, community, and fun to celebrate and protect the incredible diversity of birds on our islands.

Discover the Galapagos Christmas Bird Count Sticker Collector's Book, created by the Charles Darwin Foundation to engage youth in bird conservation. Learn about native bird species and download this educational resource today

Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, waved albatross, and flamingos are among the most iconic birds in Galapagos. Yet, these sentinel species are all classified as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, and face continued risk of population decline.

It is estimated that 20% of the populations of small landbirds found on the Galapagos Islands are declining or have gone locally extinct. Our scientists work to ensure the long-term conservation of small Galapagos landbird populations for the health of the islands’ ecosystems at large.

In a joint effort to protect the unique biodiversity of the islands, representatives from the public and private sectors, NGOs, transport cooperatives, and local governments gathered to understand the factors and solutions to reduce bird mortality on the roads of Galápagos caused by vehicles, the road connecting Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca Channel is of great importance as it passes through protected and productive areas of the island.

In a joint effort to protect the unique biodiversity of the islands, representatives from the public and private sectors, NGOs, transport cooperatives, and local governments gathered to understand the factors and solutions to reduce bird mortality on the roads of Galápagos caused by vehicles, the road connecting Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca Channel is of great importance as it passes through protected and productive areas of the island.