- Sula nebouxii
Description
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
- Brown below
- Underparts white
- White armpits
- Two pale bars on underwing
- Brght blue legs and feet
- Gray bill
Immature
Darker overall with darker bill and duller feet.
Identification
Brown Booby lacks white patches on nape and rump; its feet are yellow or greenish yellow.
Distribution and Taxonomy
Subspecies nebouxii is found along the pacific coast of Mexico to Peru, white excisa belongs in Galapagos.
Habitat
Open Sea but also quite often near coast in shallow waters, and may even occur as a visitor in inland waters. Usually nests in colonies on islands or isolated cliffs where 2 or 3 chalky pale blue or green eggs laid on the ground.
Behavior
Boobies fly fairly high over the ocean with steady, rapid, even strokes, followed by a short glide.
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.
Voice
Usually silent; trumpeting and whistling noises on breeding grounds.
