About the Blue-footed Booby

The Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) is a seabird famous for its striking blue feet and quirky behaviour particularly its courtship dance.

The Blue-footed Booby's most distinctive feature is its bright blue feet, which are a result of carotenoid pigments in its diet. The more vibrant the blue, the healthier and more attractive the bird is to potential mates.

They have a predominantly white body with brownish-grey wings and tail. Their head has a speckled brown and white pattern, and they have a pale bill.

These birds are medium-sized, measuring around 81 to 86 cm in length and having a wingspan of about 1.5 meters.

Blue-footed Boobies primarily eat fish, tiny schooling fish like sardines, anchovies, and mackerel. They are expert divers, plunging into the water from great heights to catch prey.

They can dive from heights up to 24 meters or more and hit the water at high speeds to snatch fish.

Their courtship rituals are among their most famous behaviours. Males show off their vibrant blue feet by lifting them high in an exaggerated, slow-motion dance. The bluer the feet, the more attractive they are to females. The male also whistles and spreads his wings as part of the display.

Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, using their webbed feet to keep them warm. They also share the responsibility of feeding and protecting the chicks after hatching.

They are commonly seen on the Galápagos Islands and are a favourite among visitors.

Threats include habitat disturbance and competition for food due to overfishing. They are sensitive to any environmental changes that affect their food supply.

Rising sea temperatures and changes in fish populations can impact their breeding success and chick survival.

Where to see Blue-footed Boobies

Primarily found along the Pacific Coast, especially on the Galápagos Islands, but also along the shores of Mexico and into Peru.

Interesting facts about Blue-footed Boobies

The intensity of the male's blue feet is an indicator of his health and vitality, which is used by females to choose their best mate.

Isla de la Plata 20 miles off the coast of Ecuador near Puerto Lopez. Sometimes called 'The Poor Man's Galapagos' it's a good location if you can't get to the islands.

Sarah Marshall

Blue-footed booby eggs in the Galápagos Islands, with the bird's distinctive bright blue feet.

Those that live in the Galapagos are considered a subspecies, with the Latin name Sula nebouxii excisa. There are thought to be about 80,000 blue footed boobies in the world. 

iStock Adrian Wojcik

Istock 510168512 Blue Footed Booby Galapagos Adrian Wojcik 1074

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