The Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) is the smallest species in the booby family, a group of long-winged, web-footed marine birds. This seabird is known for its bright coloration.
Worldwide Distribution and Geographic Range
The Red-footed Booby is a pan-tropical and pan-subtropical species, found across the warm waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. Within this enormous range, the birds are highly dispersed, though they are most commonly observed near breeding colonies on isolated islands.
When not breeding, the booby is highly pelagic, spending nearly all of its time far from land over the open sea. Foraging trips can take them over 90 miles (150 kilometers) from their nesting sites in search of prey.
Essential Habitat and Nesting Grounds
The Red-footed Booby requires specific habitats for establishing its large, social colonies, seeking remote, uninhabited islands, atolls, or coastal cays. These locations must offer protection from predators and human disturbance, and provide suitable vegetation. This species is the only booby that nests almost exclusively in trees or shrubs, known as arboreal nesting.
Nests are often constructed in mangroves or seaside trees, setting them apart from other booby species that typically nest on the ground. This elevated placement avoids competition for ground space and offers protection from terrestrial predators. Foraging occurs in the warm, open ocean, where they rely on nutrient-rich waters that bring small fish and squid closer to the surface.
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics
The Red-footed Booby is the smallest of all boobies, measuring about 26 to 30 inches (66 to 77 centimeters) in length. It is easily identified by its bright, vivid coral-red feet and legs, which are displayed during courtship rituals. Their bills are distinctive, featuring a pale blue or pink coloration that contrasts with the bare skin around the face.
Identification is complicated by the existence of several distinct color morphs. The two most common variations are the white morph (largely white with black flight feathers) and the brown morph (entirely dark brown plumage). Since these variations can breed within the same colony, the red feet remain the most reliable feature for identification.
Hunting Strategy and Diet
The Red-footed Booby feeds almost entirely on small fish and squid caught in the open ocean. Its hunting technique involves flying slowly above the water to spot prey before executing a swift plunge-dive. This species is noted for its agility and often snags flying fish directly from the air as they briefly glide above the ocean surface.
They can also pursue prey briefly underwater, using their wings for propulsion. An interesting aspect of their behavior is their tendency to hunt nocturnally. They capitalize on the vertical migration of schooling squid and certain fish species that move closer to the surface at night, making them easier to catch.