There are twenty-nine resident species of land birds in the Galapagos, twenty-two of which are endemic! In the tropical eastern Pacific, very strong winds are unlikely to occur; therefore only abnormal storms must have helped these land birds to fly from the mainland to these islands. This, along with chance, are the most accurate explanations for the colonization of the islands, since land birds are not long-distance flyers as seabirds are.

This Galapagos dove (Zenaida galapagoensis) is the only endemic dove present in the islands. It is attractive in comparison with the rest of the land birds, which tend to be dull in colour. Aside from the beautiful blue ring around its eyes, it has red feet and an iridescent pink and green patch on the sides of its neck.

Breeding can occur all year round, with a peak in February and March. They nest on the ground under bushes. Two eggs are laid after a display which take place in the air and then on the ground, where one bird bows to the other.

The Galapagos dove is mostly found on the lower and drier zones of many islands. The lack of fear of humans of these birds so struck Darwin during his visit to the Galapagos that he said:

"Turtle-doves were so tame, that they would often alight upon our hats and arms, so as that we could take them alive: they not fearing man, until such time as some of our company did fire at them, whereby they were rendered more shy."

This is what amazes people the most; how fearless the animals can be. We are very fortunate to experience such a phenomenon. The Galapagos is one of the very few places on earth that still has this outstanding behavior among its inhabitants.