Brown Booby Similar Species Comparison

Adult (Atlantic)

Large, heavy-bodied seabird with a daggerlike bill. Adults are dark brown above with a white belly and yellow feet. Note pale yellow bill.

Adult (Colombian)

Large seabird with a bullet-shaped body. Adults have an all dark back and tail.

Adult (Brewster's) with Western Gulls

Adult (Brewster's)

Birds along the Pacific Coast of Mexico have a paler head, but still have a dark brown back and tail.

Adult (Forster's)

Large seabird with a bullet-shaped body and daggerlike bill. Brown above with a brown neck and a white belly.

Adult (Brewster's) with Western Gull

Immature

Immature birds look like adults but have a dingy brown belly.

Adult (Colombian)

Heavy-bodied dark brown seabird with a white belly. Note pale yellow bill and feet.

Adult (Forster's) with Red-footed Booby

Immature

Immature birds look similar to adults but have a dingy brown belly.

Adult (Forster's)

Plunge-dives into the ocean, sweeping its wings backward and slicing through the water like an arrow.

Adult (Forster's)