GALAPAGOS - The Boobies

There are three species of booby on the islands – the blue-footed, red-footed and masked (or white) booby are all members of the Sulidae family (which includes gannets).

The boobies make spectacular diving plunges into the ocean to catch the fish upon which they feed. Excellent vision allows them to spot fish beneath the surface and to accurately judge the distance and exact position of their prey.  As it dives, the wings fold back to form a sleek arrow shape.   Just before the booby hits the water, a membrane (effectively a third eyelid) closes across the eyes for protection. Deflector plates in the bill protect the nostrils.  If successful, the booby will probably swallow its prey before even emerging from the water to prevent it being stolen by thieves like the frigatebird.

Blue-Footed Booby
Although this is the least common booby, it is easily seen as the population is spread throughout the islands. It has gained much popularity with the tourists owing to its somewhat comical mating dance and general appearance.  These boobies usually feed close to the shore and can support up to three chicks. They nest near the shoreline in little more than shallow scrapes in the ground. The male blue-footed booby performs a courtship dance to attract the female. If successful, a female booby will join in the dance and the pair will perform a ‘skypointing’ duet by stretching their tails and necks towards the sky.

Red-Footed Booby
The red-footed boobies live in distinct colonies mostly on the outer islands near the deeper ocean waters.  They may feed hundreds of kilometres from the shore and can only support a single chick. Unlike other boobies, it will only lay one egg.  This booby has prehensile feet allowing it to grip branches and to nest in the trees.

Masked (White) Booby
The masked booby is the largest of the species is named after the distinctive dark patch over its eyes.  It nests on the ground often near a cliff face.  These boobies will feed further offshore than the blue-footed but not as far away as the red-footed boobies. It prefers the middle waters between the islands. They are common throughout the islands. Although it lays two eggs, the elder chick will eject the younger hatchling from the nest and only the first chick will survive.