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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Gannets, Cormorants, and Allies (Order Suliformes)

-Boobies and Gannets (Family Sulidae)

-Typical Boobies (Genus Sula)

-Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii)


The Blue-footed Booby is a marine bird that is found in tropical areas across the Pacific Ocean, ranging from California to Peru. It primarily feeds on fish and squid which it catches by diving from the air. This bird typically inhabits rocky shores and islands, where it builds its nest out of twigs and seaweed. The Blue-footed Booby is easily recognized by its bright blue feet, which are used to attract mates during courtship displays. This species is very social, often nesting in large colonies and engaging in group fishing.

Blue-footed Booby

Sula nebouxii

Diet

  • Primarily small schooling fish, including sardines, anchovies, mackerel, flying fish, and herrings.

  • Also feeds on squid and other cephalopods.

  • Hunts by soaring over the ocean before making spectacular plunge-dives from heights of up to 25 m (80 ft), entering the water at high speed to capture prey.

  • Often feeds cooperatively in groups and may hunt alongside dolphins, tuna, and other seabirds.

Range

  • Found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from the Gulf of California south along the Pacific coast of Mexico, Central America, and South America to northern Peru.

  • Common along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including offshore waters near the Zihuatanejo region, especially around islands, rocky headlands, and productive coastal waters.

  • Breeds colonially on rocky islands, sea cliffs, and isolated coastal headlands, with major colonies in the Gulf of California, Islas Marías, and the Galápagos Islands.

Male / Female

  • Male: Chocolate-brown upperparts, white underparts, pale head with fine streaking, long bluish-gray bill, and bright blue feet used in elaborate courtship displays. Males are slightly smaller and often have brighter blue feet.

  • Female: Similar plumage but generally larger and heavier, with a slightly longer bill and often a darker iris. The blue feet are usually slightly less vivid.

  • Juveniles: Brown above with a mottled head and neck, pale belly, grayish feet, and dark bill.

  • Sexes are difficult to distinguish in the field, although females are noticeably larger and males often have brighter blue feet.

Size

  • Length: 76–84 cm (30–33 in)

  • Wingspan: 150–160 cm (59–63 in)

  • Weight:

    • Male: 1.0–1.5 kg (2.2–3.3 lb)

    • Female: 1.3–2.0 kg (2.9–4.4 lb)

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