Sula – Boobies

Members of this genus are named after the word “stupid”

The name of this genus of seabirds comes from a nordic word, whereas the English name “booby” comes from the Spanish word “Bobo” which means “stupid.”

These birds were given this name because it was incredibly common for them to go on the ships of sailors and just sit there without any fear of humans, making them an easy target for capturing and consuming.

Boobies are active throughout the day and spend all their time in the water when not reproducing. They can swim underwater and dive into the ocean after their prey, often from enormous heights, to catch it.