This bird is indigenous to the subtropical and tropical regions of the eastern Pacific Ocean, notably thriving on the Galápagos Islands, where their mating dances attract considerable attention. Their vividly colored feet play a crucial role in courtship rituals, with males displaying their feet in an elaborate high-stepping strut to attract females.

The Blue-footed booby is supremely adapted for a life spent mostly at sea. Their bodies are streamlined for plunge-diving – a dramatic hunting technique where they plummet from heights of up to 100 feet, striking the ocean’s surface with a forceful, spear-like precision. This is an extraordinary feat, considering they can hit the water at speeds of 60 mph (97 km/h), which would be injurious or even fatal to other animals. Their specialized anatomy includes air sacs beneath their skin and pneumatized bones, which are bones that are filled with air spaces, allowing their bodies to absorb the impact of hitting the water at high velocities.

Once underwater, they use their strong legs to propel themselves with agility and speed, catching fish and squid with their sharp beaks. These birds often hunt cooperatively in groups, which is thought to help them in corralling fish into dense shoals for more efficient hunting.

The Blue-footed booby’s diet primarily consists of small fish, including anchovies, mackerel, and flying fish. Interestingly, the pigmentation of the booby’s feet is influenced by its diet, and a healthier diet leads to brighter feet, which in turn are more attractive to potential mates.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Chile

2020

Vagrant

Colombia

2020

Costa Rica

2020

Ecuador

2020

Galápagos

El Salvador

2020

Guatemala

2020

Honduras

2020

Mexico

2020

Nicaragua

2020

Panama

2020

Peru

2020

United States

2020

Vagrant