Blue-footed Booby
Least ConcernSula nebouxii
Visual Identification
Blue-footed Booby
Appearance
The Blue-footed Booby is a striking seabird with a distinctive appearance. Adults have a brown head, neck, and upper parts, contrasting sharply with their white underparts. Their most notable feature is their bright blue feet, which can vary in shade from turquoise to sky blue.
Males and females are similar in appearance, but females are slightly larger with bigger pupils. Juveniles have a more muted plumage, with brownish-grey feet that gradually turn blue as they mature. The birds' beaks are long, pointed, and bluish-grey in colour.
Size
Length
76cm to 84cm
Wingspan
152cm to 160cm
Weight
1.2kg to 1.8kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Beak Colour
Blue Grey
Leg Colour
Blue
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Blue-footed Boobies inhabit the eastern Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Gulf of California to Peru. They are most famously associated with the Galápagos Islands but also breed on coastal islands off Ecuador and Peru. These seabirds prefer rocky coastlines and small islands for nesting and roosting.
While they are not migratory, Blue-footed Boobies may disperse widely at sea outside the breeding season. They are rarely seen far inland, maintaining a strong connection to their coastal and marine habitats throughout the year.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 100 meters
Climate zones
Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Diet
Blue-footed Boobies primarily feed on small fish such as anchovies, sardines, and mackerel. They are opportunistic hunters, using their excellent eyesight to spot prey from the air before executing their precise plunge dives.
Occasionally, they also consume squid and other small marine creatures.
Behaviour
Blue-footed Boobies are renowned for their spectacular plunge-diving behaviour. They soar high above the water, then fold their wings back and dive straight down at speeds up to 60 mph to catch fish.
On land, they are known for their comical mating dance, where males lift their blue feet high and strut to impress females.
Vocalisation
Blue-footed Boobies are generally quiet at sea but become more vocal during breeding. Their calls include a variety of whistles, grunts, and honking sounds.
Males produce a distinctive whistle during courtship, often described as a high-pitched 'whee-whee' or 'wh-aaaah'. Females respond with a deeper, hoarser call.
Nesting & Breeding
Blue-footed Boobies typically breed year-round, with peak activity varying by location. Courtship involves elaborate ritualised displays, including the male's famous foot-lifting dance and sky-pointing with their beaks.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often on flat or gently sloping areas near cliff edges. Females usually lay 2-3 chalky blue eggs. Both parents share incubation duties, carefully shielding the eggs with their webbed feet.
Incubation lasts about 41-45 days. Chicks are born naked but quickly develop white down. They fledge after about 102 days but may continue to be fed by their parents for several months after leaving the nest.
Lifespan
The Blue-footed Booby typically lives for 17 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 18 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, Blue-footed Boobies face threats from overfishing, which reduces their food supply, and climate change, which affects ocean temperatures and fish distribution.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting their breeding colonies and maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Blue-footed Boobies along rocky coastlines and islands in the eastern Pacific.
- Observe their distinctive plunge-diving behaviour from coastal viewpoints.
- Visit during the breeding season to witness their famous courtship dance.
- Bring binoculars to appreciate the details of their blue feet and facial features.
- Respect their nesting areas and maintain a safe distance to avoid disturbing the birds.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Blue-foot, Blue-footed Gannet
Family:
SulidaePredators
Adult Blue-footed Boobies have few natural predators, but their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to gulls, frigate birds, and introduced mammals like rats and feral cats on breeding islands.
Did You Know?
- The blue colour of their feet comes from carotenoid pigments obtained from their fish diet.
- Blue-footed Boobies can dive from heights of 80 feet and reach depths of 80 feet underwater.
- They are named 'boobies' from the Spanish word 'bobo', meaning 'stupid', due to their clumsy movement on land.
Was this bird profile helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve our content
Community Experience
Community Ratings
No ratings yet - be the first to rate this bird!
Latest Community Reviews
No reviews yet
Sign in to be the first to review
References
- 2 4
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Sula nebouxii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22696683A168988087.
View source - 3
website: Partners in Flight
View source - 1
book, 1980: John Terres, The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds