Blue-footed Booby Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  A large seabird with heavy, long, pointed bill, long, pointed wings, and relatively long tail.

  Relative Size

  Larger than a Great Black-backed Gull, smaller than a Northern Gannet.

  goose-sized or larger

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 31.9 in (81 cm)
    • Weight: 52.9-77.6 oz (1500-2200 g)
    • Wingspan: 62.2 in (158 cm)

  © Michael Warner / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Brownish above and whitish below, with a white patch on the hindneck and a narrow white band across the rump. Adults have brilliantly blue feet and grayish brown streaking on pale head and neck. Young birds have brown feet and darker brown streaking on the head, neck, and chest.

• Behavior

  Blue-footed Boobies spend much of the day fishing, often in flocks. They patrol by flying over the water, then dive rapidly and often from great heights to catch fish they find. They spend the remainder of the day resting, on the water or a convenient perch (piling, buoy, rock, etc.) and preening.
• Habitat

  Blue-footed Boobies are almost exclusively found in marine environments, but usually not far from land. Only on rare occasions are they found on inland lakes.