Red-footed Booby (Sula sula)

Identification & Behavior: ~70 cm (28 in). The Red-footed Booby has two color morphs, but the bright red legs and feet, bluish bill, and pink and blue throat are present in all color morphs. Some birds are mostly white with black flight feathers. Others are brown. Some birds in the white morph have black tails and look similar to Nazca and Masked boobies. Among boobies, the Red-footed Booby is the smallest and more slender.  Juveniles are brownish with darker wings and pale pinkish legs.

Status: The status of the Red-footed Booby in Peru is poorly known and largely based on three sight records (2 photographs) off the coast of the Piura, Ancash, and Arequipa. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Piquero de Pata Roja.

Sub-species: Red-footed Booby (Sula sula websteri) Rothschild 1898).

Meaning of Name:  Sula: Is a Norwegian name for a gannet or booby.

See more of the Family Sulidae