Blue-footed Booby
NameBlue-footed Booby
Common NameBlue-footed Booby
Scientific NameSula nebouxii
FamilySulidae
Wingspan (cm)140
Length (cm)80
Weight (g)1500
Plumage DetailsFeatures brown upperparts, a white belly, and a long, pointed dark tail. The head and neck are streaked with brown and white, and the most distinctive feature is their bright turquoise-blue webbed feet.
Vocalization / CallMales emit high-pitched whistles, while females produce louder, honking or grunting sounds. These calls are often heard during courtship displays and territorial interactions.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatsmarine, coastal, rocky islands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound along the eastern Pacific coast from the Gulf of California down to Peru, with the largest breeding populations concentrated in the Galápagos Islands.
Identifying Featuresbright blue webbed feet, pointed, serrated bill, brown upperparts and white underparts, spectacular diving behavior, elaborate courtship dance
Description
The Blue-footed Booby is a striking seabird known for its brilliant blue feet, which play a key role in its elaborate courtship display. These agile divers plunge headfirst into the ocean to catch fish, often nesting in colonies on rocky islands and coastal cliffs.
