Red-footed booby (Sula sula)
This seabird is the smallest of at least six species of boobies. It is about two and a half feet long and has a wingspan of five feet. Unlike the blue-footed booby which makes deep dives into water to catch fish, it often catches flying fish in the air, as well as making shallow dives. All boobies immediately swallow the fish they catch, unlike other fishing birds which may carry the fish in their beaks.
It has a similar range to the blue-footed booby and is commonly seen in Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands. Other species of boobies nest on the ground, but red-footed boobies live in colonies and nest in trees, where they lay a single blue egg.
Both adults incubate the egg for just over six weeks. The chicks learn to fly around three months of age, but it will be another eight weeks before they are able to attempt long flights.
The red-footed booby comes in several plumages, white, brown, or mixed, but all sport bright red feet and have blue bills. Some males also display blue throat patches when trying to attract mates.
They will not nest on islands where the Galapagos hawk is found, even if conditions are otherwise favourable. If the hawks have been eradicated from an island, red-footed boobies have been observed moving in to colonise it.
Humans continue to hunt and eat both adults and chicks, even though it is illegal. The birds bite the hands of humans attempting to take them from their nests. Two or three thousand birds are killed in most years.
Coconut crabs hunt red-footed boobies, using their strong claws to break the birds’ wings or trap them by their legs.
They have a very colorful beak.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, isn't it?
DeleteThat is quite a beautiful bird. Interesting information about it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI think it's stunning.
DeleteSeems to be a politically correct bird with it's red feet and blue bill. Didn't know they existed. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteLOL!!
DeleteThese last two posts could almost be April fools,:the boobies look so extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteThey are astonishing birds.
DeleteColourful birds I knew nothing about. So sad that people won't leave them alone; they seem to have enough natural enemies without humans adding to the dangers.
ReplyDeleteWe used to think the Dodo was a sad example of man's ignorance. Now there are so many more species going extinct.
DeleteMore beautiful colours.
ReplyDeleteStay away from those crabs, boobies! 😱
It makes my blood run cold to think of such a cruel fate.
DeleteI have never seen one of these before. Love the colorful beak and red feet
ReplyDeleteThey are so lovely, and the beaks are particularly striking.
ReplyDeleteThank you. 😺Seems that it's really tough to be a Red-footed Booby. Humans or crabs, someone's out to get you.
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising they're not in danger of extinction, really, since they only lay one egg. I was going to say they only lay one egg at a time, but don't know any birds that manage to lay two at the same time . . .
DeleteI hadn’t heard of these red ones before.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know of them either, until recently.
DeleteThe red ones are new to me, too.
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely, though.
DeleteAll the boobies are such interesting birds. Well, I could say that (and probably have) about any species of bird, really.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is such a thing as a boring bird - well, woodpeckers, I suppose. 😉
DeleteAgain, not a colour I can see.
ReplyDeleteHas that always been the case or is it a recent development?
Deletesad they are killed but it is nature's way.
ReplyDeleteNot so much when man is involved, though.
Deletemagnificent boobies! Thank you for this information . Of course humans would kill and eat them, humans are not as honorable as boobies.
ReplyDelete(Many) Humans are not honourable.
DeleteNever mind its red feet, the Red-footed booby's beak is something else indeed! xxx
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful?
DeleteRed feet and blue beak. What a combination! A new bird for me.
ReplyDeleteFabulous combination.
DeleteI didn't know about the red footed boobies. I knew about the blue footed ones though. I learned something today.
ReplyDeleteI learn something new every day . . .
DeleteThese last two posts remind me of James Thurber's story, "The Unicorn in the Garden" ha. In case you're not familiar, the protagonist's wife calls him a booby and threatens to take him to the booby-hatch.
ReplyDeleteI like James Thurber!
DeleteAs well as colourful feet, their beak is colourful too.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
So very pretty.
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing what other colorful birds you come up with.
ReplyDeleteH'mm, now that's a poser . . .
DeleteTrying to imagine a crab that powerful!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's horrible, isn't it? Everything has to live, though.
DeleteThese birds are getting more and more like a cute joke of nature feeling whimsical. I know, blue feet, red feet, what next, maybe striped? Spotted?
ReplyDeleteNature is the greatest and most imaginative artist.
DeleteLovely birds, but I'm wondering how big the coconut crabs are to be killing these birds.
ReplyDeleteThey're big!
DeleteI was fortunate to see both types of boobies when I visited the Galapagos Islands in 2014.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely. A sight never to be forgotten, I'm sure.
DeleteVery cute with their red feet and blue beaks.
ReplyDeleteMost attractive, but probably very smelly, like most sea birds.
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