General

Red-footed Booby: The black-tailed white-morph is a small booby with white head, body, and tail. Pale blue face has pink-based, pale blue bill. Flight feathers are black. Legs and feet are bright red. Brown form is brown overall with darker flight feathers. Sexes are similar. Juvenile resembles adult brown form but has pink-gray legs and feet.

Range and Habitat

Red-footed Booby: Breeds on tropical islands worldwide, including Caribbean, Galapagos, Indian Ocean; strays to Dry Tortugas off Florida, accidental off Gulf and California coasts. Pelagic, only comes ashore to breed.

Breeding and Nesting

Red-footed Booby: One chalky white egg is laid in a loose nest made of sticks and twigs, built in a tree, shrubs, or thick grass tufts. Incubation ranges from 43 to 49 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Red-footed Booby: Feeds on squid and flying fish; also eats crustaceans and other fish. Plunge dives for most food in deep waters; sometimes catches flying fish in the air.

Vocalization

Red-footed Booby: Usually silent at sea; gives low, throaty, and bray-like chatter on breeding grounds.

Similar Species

Red-footed Booby: Masked Booby has black tail, black inner secondaries, dark facial skin, and gray legs.