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Blue-footed Booby Identification

Blue-footed Booby Adult
Adult

Large, heavy-bodied seabird with a long daggerlike bill. Adults have distinctive blue feet. Note dark bill.

© Lisa Owens | Macaulay LibraryGalápagos, March 27, 2012
Blue-footed Booby Immature
Immature

Large, heavy-bodied seabird with a long daggerlike bill. Immatures are dark overall with variable amounts of white mottling on the back. Note paler head and white belly.

© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryOaxaca, January 09, 2013
Blue-footed Booby Immature
Immature

The underwings on immatures are mostly dark. Note pale head and white belly.

© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryLima, January 20, 2010
Blue-footed Booby Immature
Immature

Large, heavy-bodied seabird with long pointy wings. In flight, note mostly dark underwings on immature birds.

© Steve Collins | Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, August 23, 2009
Blue-footed Booby Adult
Adult

Nests on the ground on islands. Forages at sea.

© Michael Warner | Macaulay LibraryGalápagos, February 27, 2015
Blue-footed Booby Immature
Immature

Immatures are mostly brown with a dark bill and a white belly. Often roosts on rocky islands.

© Ryan P. O'Donnell | Macaulay LibraryBaja California, October 04, 2008
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Adult Description

  • Large waterbird.
  • Mostly white with dark wings and mottled back.
  • Tail dusky.
  • Whitish head, with thin dark streaking.
  • Long, pointed, grayish bill.
  • Long pointed tail.
  • Long pointed wings.
  • Dark face.
  • Feet bright blue.

Immature Description

Juvenile dark all over with white belly. Pale at base of underside of wings.
Relative Size

Relative Sizegoose or largergoose-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)

Species in This Family

Boobies and Gannets(Order: Suliformes, Family:Sulidae)

Masked BoobyMasked Booby
Blue-footed BoobyBlue-footed Booby
Brown BoobyBrown Booby
Red-footed BoobyRed-footed Booby
Northern GannetNorthern Gannet

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