Boobies  

are larger seabirds and belong to the Sulidae family with 10 species worldwide and are closely related to the gannets. Boobies are found in the tropical waters whereas gannets are more in the temperate waters, farther north and south to them. They have long wings and tails, a pointed bill and completely webbed feet. Sexes are almost alike with the females being slightly larger. There are 3 species of Sulidaes, Blue-Footed, Nazca and Red-Footed Booby, breeding in the Galapagos and along the Pacific coast and that page is dedicated to them. Three other casual wanderers, Masked, Peruvian and Brown Booby are also occasional seen along the Pacific coast.

Boobies feed mostly on fish and squid, which they catch by plunge diving similar to the technique the pelicans use. Starting their spectacular dives from heights of up to 90m, they enter the water like a dart with the wings folded close to the body and the head and neck extended. Entering the water they hardly make a splash and can plunge 9m deep into the water and so get to fish which is often unavailable to the more surface feeding seabirds. Underneath the water they might even dive or swim farther on using their wings as propulsion. When all three species are present at a breeding location, the red-footed boobies fish farthest out at sea, the blue-footed the closest to the shore and the Nazca at intermediate locations, avoiding so competition among themselves.

Blue-footed Booby measure up to 85cm and have a wingspan of 150cm. As their name suggests, they have bright blue colored webbed feet and are whitish with brown streakings on head and neck. Apart from Galapagos they nest on Isla de la Plata and Santa Clara islands.

Nazca Booby, formerly and still commonly known as Masked Booby although scientist split them now into a distinct species. Nazca have orange bill (see above) whereas Masked have a greenish-yellow one. This booby is the largest of the three with a height of up to 90cm and a wingspan of 180cm. They are all white with black on the wings edges and tail. They nest extensively on Galapagos, de la Plata and Mapelo.

Red-Footed Booby is the smallest of the 3 species and is 75 cm tall with a wingspan of 135cm. 2 morphs are present, white and the more common brown one. All have red webbed feet and a blue bill with a reddish base. Breed on Genovesa and Plata.

Boobies are highly pelagic, especially Nazca and Red-footed Booby, spending months alone or in small groups on the open ocean and coming to land only to breed. That they do however often in large colonies, gathering on plateaus near cliffs because as is the case with other seabirds they have difficulty in taking off and take advantage of the prevailing shore winds. Boobies demonstrate various courtship displays where the male performs many poses to attract females. As they are monogamous, it is important to find the right mate for life.

Once the right mate is found, they built rudimentary nests and lay 1-3 eggs. Both sexes incubate for up to 8 weeks taking turns. The hatching is asynchronous and if eggs or chicks are lost in the beginning another clutch is placed. The altricial chicks are naked at birth till they acquire a heavy and fluffy down, which lets them actually look bigger than their own parents. Both parents feed their young by bringing them caught fish in their crops. It might take up to 9 months till a young is ready to care for itself and leaves its parents.

Location

Birding Vocabulary