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Red-footed Booby

You may have heard of the blue-footed booby, but did you know they have a red-footed relative? Meet the red-footed booby, the smallest of the booby family.

 

Red-footed boobies can be found around the globe in subtropical and tropical waters, with one of the largest populations residing in the Galapagos Islands. They are about 70 centimeters (27 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 91 to 101 centimeters (36-40 inches). They have two sets of nostrils – the primary ones are closed externally while the secondary set on the edges of their mouth automatically close when they dive underwater. These birds have bare, but vibrant bluish-purple faces, iconic red legs and feet, and generally light plumage that ombres into dark brown on their wings. However, it is easiest to identify them from their legs than their plumage, as there are several common morphs.  

These birds are suited for long flights and are known to take distant hunting trips that can last multiple days, but do not migrate. These seabirds are highly social, live in colonies, and are vocal communicators. Males and females sound different, with males making more of a whistle sound while females vocalize through quacks and honks. Red-footed boobies have colonial nesting grounds, infamously consisting of flimsy nests that fall apart when subjected to bad weather. They incubate their eggs by standing on them, providing heat from their highly vascular feet.  

Red-footed boobies prey on flying fish and flying squid. Their diving/plunges is relatively shallow, generally only to depths of 4-10 meters. These birds have incredible eyesight, and once they lock in on a target they dive from great heights in the sky. 

 

 

The red-footed booby is primarily threatened by illegal hunting and habitat destruction. Despite these threats, however, these birds are currently listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. 

 

 

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