Blue-footed Booby
Image: rcotlear (cc-by-nc)
NameBlue-footed Booby
Common NameBlue-footed Booby
Scientific NameSula nebouxii
FamilySulidae
Wingspan (cm)145
Length (cm)80
Weight (g)1600
Plumage DetailsAdult Blue-footed Boobies have brown upperparts with white underparts. Their head and neck are pale brown, streaked with darker brown, and they have a distinctive dark mask around their eyes. The most striking feature is their bright turquoise-blue feet.
Vocalization / CallMales typically produce high-pitched whistles, while females emit louder, coarser honks or braying sounds.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal waters, rocky islands, cliffs
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the eastern Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Gulf of California along the western coasts of Central and South America down to Peru, with a significant population in the Galápagos Islands.
Identifying FeaturesBright blue feet, Dark facial mask, Pointed bill, Plunge-diving feeding behavior, Brown upperparts, white underparts
Description
The Blue-footed Booby is a distinctive seabird known for its bright blue feet, which play a crucial role in courtship displays. These birds are expert plunge-divers, feeding on fish by diving headfirst into the ocean from considerable heights.
