Galapagos mockingbird  (Mimus parvulus)

The Galapagos mockingbird is a cooperative breeder with territorial groups generally comprising two to five adults but sometimes many more (3) (6). These intriguing and often complex social groups may comprise a single breeding female or several, with breeding pairs occupying individual nests but defending the group territory collectively. Typically contributing to the group dynamic are non-breeders (usually male off-spring from previous broods or failed breeders) that help to raise nestlings. Furthermore it is not uncommon for breeders to also help raise nestlings that aren’t their own (2) (3). The nests are made from twigs and located low down on cacti or higher up on taller vegetation. Four eggs are normally laid and incubated over 12 to 13 days before hatching (2).

Instead of flying, the Galapagos mockingbird is often seen running along the ground (7). It has a varied omnivorous diet comprising arthropods, fruit, nectar from cacti and other plants, small vertebrates, sea bird eggs and nestlings, and carrion (2). In addition, this species will remove ticks from the bodies of land iguanas, and populations on Santa Fe Island are known to occasionally drink blood from the wounds of living land and marine iguanas (2) (5) (8).