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Difference between revisions of "Blue-footed Booby" - BirdForum Opus

(Pictures of Imm, Courtship & Flight. References)
 
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[[Image:Blue footed boobiesNeil.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by{{user|Neil|Neil}}<br>Photographed:  Ecuador, [[The Galapagos]],  August, 2009]]
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[[Image:Blue footed boobiesNeil.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|Neil|Neil}}<br>[[Ecuador]], The [[Galapagos]],  August, 2009]]
 
;[[:Category:Sula|Sula]] nebouxii
 
;[[:Category:Sula|Sula]] nebouxii
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
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*Mantle barred with thin, white lines  
 
*Mantle barred with thin, white lines  
 
*Mostly white tail with dark corners on upperside
 
*Mostly white tail with dark corners on upperside
[[Image:23 0915 BFBoobieRed.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Immature<br />Photo by {{user|mikemik|mikemik}}<br />[[Galapagos]], [[Ecuador]], November 2008]]
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[[Image:23 0915 BFBoobieRed.jpg|thumb|300px|right|juvenile<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|mikemik|mikemik}}<br />[[Galapagos]], [[Ecuador]], November 2008]]
*Brown below
 
 
*Underparts white  
 
*Underparts white  
 
*White armpits  
 
*White armpits  
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*Gray bill
 
*Gray bill
  
'''Immature''': Darker overall with darker bill and duller feet.
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Downy young are snow-white with yellowish feet. The first full feathered plumage ('''juveline''') has a lot of brown but with white at the nape, base of tail, and underside including armpits; at least before leaving the nest it will still have yellowish feet. '''Immature''' is darker overall than adult with darker bill and duller bluish grey feet.
 
====Similar Species====
 
====Similar Species====
 
[[Brown Booby]] lacks white patches on nape and rump; its feet are yellow or greenish yellow.
 
[[Brown Booby]] lacks white patches on nape and rump; its feet are yellow or greenish yellow.
[[Image:20090313- DSC3063.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Courtship<br />Photo by {{user|bionicsherpa|bionicsherpa}}<br />Espaniola Island, [[Galapagos]], March 2009]]
 
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
 
The pacific coast of [[Mexico]] to [[Peru]] and [[Galápagos Islands]].
 
The pacific coast of [[Mexico]] to [[Peru]] and [[Galápagos Islands]].
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
Subspecies ''nebouxii'' is found along the pacific coast of [[Mexico]] to [[Peru]], while ''excisa'' belongs in [[Galapagos Islands Ecuador|Galapagos]].
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[[Image:20090313- DSC3063.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Courtship<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|bionicsherpa|bionicsherpa}}<br />Espaniola Island, [[Galapagos]], March 2009]]
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====Subspecies====
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There are 2 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
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*''S. n. nebouxii'':
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:*Pacific coast of [[Mexico]] to [[Peru]]
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*''S. n. excisa'':
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*:[[Galapagos Islands]]
 +
 
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Open Sea but also quite often near coast in shallow waters, and may even occur as a visitor in inland waters.  
 
Open Sea but also quite often near coast in shallow waters, and may even occur as a visitor in inland waters.  
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Boobies fly fairly high over the ocean with steady, rapid, even strokes, followed by a short glide.
 
Boobies fly fairly high over the ocean with steady, rapid, even strokes, followed by a short glide.
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
[[Image:Blue-footed Booby1.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|tehag|tehag}}<br />Nopoló, [[Baja California]] Sur, February 2005]]
 
 
'''Feeding''': When fishing, Blue-footed Boobies plunge headlong into the water with wings partly folded after a cirkling motion; they sometimes snatch flying-fish out of the air. Often in groups when fishing.  
 
'''Feeding''': When fishing, Blue-footed Boobies plunge headlong into the water with wings partly folded after a cirkling motion; they sometimes snatch flying-fish out of the air. Often in groups when fishing.  
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
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[[Image:Blue-footed Booby1.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Subspecies ''nebouxii''<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|tehag|tehag}}<br />Nopoló, [[Baja California]] Sur, February 2005]]
 
Usually nests in colonies on islands or isolated cliffs where 2 or 3 chalky pale blue or green eggs laid on the ground.
 
Usually nests in colonies on islands or isolated cliffs where 2 or 3 chalky pale blue or green eggs laid on the ground.
 
====Vocalisation====
 
====Vocalisation====
 
Usually silent; trumpeting and whistling noises on breeding grounds.
 
Usually silent; trumpeting and whistling noises on breeding grounds.
 
==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec09}}
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Sula+nebouxii}}  
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{{GSearch|"Sula nebouxii" {{!}} "Blue-footed Booby"}}
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{{GS-checked}}1
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<br />
 +
<br />
 +
 
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Sula]]
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Sula]]

Latest revision as of 19:31, 22 August 2023

Photo © by Neil
Ecuador, The Galapagos, August, 2009
Sula nebouxii

Identification

L. 32-34" (81-86 cm)

  • Long, pointed bill, wings and tail
  • Pale head and neck, streaked brown
  • Dark brown wings
  • White patches on nape and rump
  • Mantle barred with thin, white lines
  • Mostly white tail with dark corners on upperside
juvenile
Photo © by mikemik
Galapagos, Ecuador, November 2008
  • Underparts white
  • White armpits
  • Two pale bars on underwing
  • Bright blue legs and feet
  • Gray bill

Downy young are snow-white with yellowish feet. The first full feathered plumage (juveline) has a lot of brown but with white at the nape, base of tail, and underside including armpits; at least before leaving the nest it will still have yellowish feet. Immature is darker overall than adult with darker bill and duller bluish grey feet.

Similar Species

Brown Booby lacks white patches on nape and rump; its feet are yellow or greenish yellow.

Distribution

The pacific coast of Mexico to Peru and Galápagos Islands.

Taxonomy

Courtship
Photo © by bionicsherpa
Espaniola Island, Galapagos, March 2009

Subspecies

There are 2 subspecies[1]:

  • S. n. nebouxii:

Habitat

Open Sea but also quite often near coast in shallow waters, and may even occur as a visitor in inland waters.

Behaviour

Flight

Boobies fly fairly high over the ocean with steady, rapid, even strokes, followed by a short glide.

Diet

Feeding: When fishing, Blue-footed Boobies plunge headlong into the water with wings partly folded after a cirkling motion; they sometimes snatch flying-fish out of the air. Often in groups when fishing.

Breeding

Subspecies nebouxii
Photo © by tehag
Nopoló, Baja California Sur, February 2005

Usually nests in colonies on islands or isolated cliffs where 2 or 3 chalky pale blue or green eggs laid on the ground.

Vocalisation

Usually silent; trumpeting and whistling noises on breeding grounds.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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