BLUE-FOOTED BOOBIES
WHAT'S IN A NAME? According to some, due to the blue-feet and the "dancing" they do during courtship, the name derives from the Spanish word "bobo" - clown. There are several species of boobies and their "cousins", the gannets, diving seabirds found throughout the tropics.
WHAT'S IN A NAME? According to some, due to the blue-feet and the "dancing" they do during courtship, the name derives from the Spanish word "bobo" - clown. There are several species of boobies and their "cousins", the gannets, diving seabirds found throughout the tropics.
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As we stated in the section on Antarctic penguins, the courtship rituals of seabirds is both simple and complex. The behavior at any given time can be given a label. For example, the Blue-Footed Boobies above are doing sky-pointing behavior, one of several courtship components. The complexity is in the interpretation. It's easy enough to say that they're a courting pair, but the sky-pointing may or may not be what we humans would call foreplay. It could, and often is "afterplay." That is to say that they've already mated and had chicks, etc., but they need to keep reinforcing the pair-bond at certain times - coming back to the nest with food, "changing of the guard" (exchanging the responsibility and care of the chick[s] and/ or egg[s], etc. Sort of a peck on the cheek or saying "I love you". Basically, it is earning the right to get parental responsibility.
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Another part of the courtship ritual involves "gift-giving". While Blue-Footed Boobies nest on the ground, not in trees, they still exchange twigs (a vestigial behavior as its called) as if to say, "I want to nest with you." The couple above (L) appear to be looking for the twig that may have been dropped. Allopreening behavior R) is common in many animals, where they clean one another. And there's the dance itself (below). The dancer in these images is a "he", as males have a constricted-looking pupil and his tail feathers are erect.
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Sometimes the courtship really is foreplay and mating takes place. The chick on the right is attended by "mom" in this case (she has a pigment around her pupil to make it look dilated); in seabirds, it could be either the mom or dad with the chick(s)/ egg(s) as they share parental responsibility (in landbirds it's almost always mom with the parental care.
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During coastal dinghy (panga) rides, I usually have an eye out for a large flock of bfbs (Guide talk for Blue-Footed Boobies). If seen, there could be a treat in store for all (including the boobies) as they sometimes engage in a coordinated feeding frenzy, with many going into the water at the same time; who the
leader is in this synchronous behavior - I haven't a clue, but I bet they know.
Watch the behavior unfold in the following images.
leader is in this synchronous behavior - I haven't a clue, but I bet they know.
Watch the behavior unfold in the following images.
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NAZCA BOOBIES - USED TO BE CALLED MASKED BOOBIES
You can see the "mask" on both male and female. You can also see the "gift" (vestigial nesting
material) used during courtship and pair bonding (described in the section above). It's vestigial nesting material as once in their evolutionary past, they nested in trees. Now they lay their eggs on the open ground, but still exchange twigs. We're not the only ones with traditions.
Below are two examples of the allopreening "cleaning" behavior.
material) used during courtship and pair bonding (described in the section above). It's vestigial nesting material as once in their evolutionary past, they nested in trees. Now they lay their eggs on the open ground, but still exchange twigs. We're not the only ones with traditions.
Below are two examples of the allopreening "cleaning" behavior.
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Nazca Boobies lay 2 eggs, but usually only one of them hatches. In the case where both eggs hatch
(a few days apart) the older chick will actually kill the younger one, an act called "obligatory siblicide".
Why are 2 eggs laid; some researchers refer to the 2nd as an "insurance" egg.
(a few days apart) the older chick will actually kill the younger one, an act called "obligatory siblicide".
Why are 2 eggs laid; some researchers refer to the 2nd as an "insurance" egg.
JUVENILE NAZCA BOOBY APPARENTLY IN TRAINING TO BECOME A TOUR GUIDE
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RED-FOOTED BOOBIES - THE SMALLEST OF THE BOOBIES
AND THE ONLY ONE TO STILL NEST IN TREES
AND THE ONLY ONE TO STILL NEST IN TREES
Aside from the distinctive "lipstick red" feet, the area around the beak is also quite beautiful,
almost like a watercolor.
almost like a watercolor.
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Red-footed boobies come in two morphs (flavors if you will), red and white; they are the same species and they successfully interbreed. Throughout the tropics, the vast majority are white,
while in the Galápagos, they are mostly brown.
while in the Galápagos, they are mostly brown.
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FRIGATEBIRDS - THE WARSHIPS OF THE AIR THEY GET MUCH OF THEIR FOOD BY CLEPTOPARASITISM,
A FANCY WORD FOR SAYING THEY STEAL IT FROM OTHER SEABIRDS
A FANCY WORD FOR SAYING THEY STEAL IT FROM OTHER SEABIRDS
During the breeding season, the male inflates the incredibly bright gular sac and shakes it at a female flying overhead, while emitting a distinctive courtship call.
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There are 2 species if frigatebirds in the Galapagos, the great and the magnificent. They all deserve superlative names, but indeed those are their names. The Great Frigatebird is seen primarily on Tower (Genovesa) Island, with the males on display from February-May. You'll notice that the male's back also
has a green iridescent sheen and the female has a red eye-ring. The Magnificent Frigatebird shown
below (seen primarily on N. Seymour Island throughout the year) also has a green sheen,
but the green is mixed with a bluish-purple iridescence.
has a green iridescent sheen and the female has a red eye-ring. The Magnificent Frigatebird shown
below (seen primarily on N. Seymour Island throughout the year) also has a green sheen,
but the green is mixed with a bluish-purple iridescence.
Juvenile frigates are identified by their white heads. Frigates are amazing to watch as they fly as they are extremely maneuverable. They have the largest wingspan to weight ratio of any bird ; they weigh less
than 2 lbs, with their feathers weighing more than their bones A pure white head (above) means its a juvenile Magnificent while juvenile Greats have a rusty coloration mixed with white (below).
The one on the right really is begging to be fed.
than 2 lbs, with their feathers weighing more than their bones A pure white head (above) means its a juvenile Magnificent while juvenile Greats have a rusty coloration mixed with white (below).
The one on the right really is begging to be fed.
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Looks like they're both bored. Juvenile frigates have an extremely long dependency on their parents for food - well over a year. This may be related to the time it takes them to learn the aerodynamics of successful aerial theft of food. The term for this long dependency is "altricial" as opposed to a very
short dependency period (notable in shorebirds) which we call "precocial".
short dependency period (notable in shorebirds) which we call "precocial".
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THE WAVED ALBATROSS - THE MOST MAJESTIC OF THE GALAPAGOS SEABIRDS
The Waved Albatross, endemic to the Galápagos, is named for the wavy-grey pattern on its chest. It is one of over 20 albatross species, with most found in the Southern Ocean (the southern confluence of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans). If one were to design an aircraft for the Southern Ocean, it would be a glider, for here there are thousands of miles of fetch (uninterrupted by land) with strong winds. The albatross is such an aircraft, a natural one. Combining techniques of gliding, including "dynamic soaring," with a unique physiology (a "shoulder lock" tendon that keeps the extended wing in place), it is able to fly several hundred miles per day with minimal effort. These wings are long, over 11 ft in length in some species, such as the Wandering Albatross.
The life span of an albatross is considerable longer than most birds - upwards of 50 years. Many of them mate for life, again, a unique behavior for sea birds. Their courtship rituals are well documented and likened to a multi-step dance routine. To be a good dancer, albatrosses practice at "dancing schools" with two dancers performing and a thirdwatching (see below).
The life span of an albatross is considerable longer than most birds - upwards of 50 years. Many of them mate for life, again, a unique behavior for sea birds. Their courtship rituals are well documented and likened to a multi-step dance routine. To be a good dancer, albatrosses practice at "dancing schools" with two dancers performing and a thirdwatching (see below).
One phase of the courtship has the male spreading his wings on display for the female, and sometimes circling around her with his wings outspread. With a wingspan of 7-11 ft (species dependent), that's quite a show. Then there's bill-clicking (below), making a sound similar to a pair of castanets.
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Allopreening (upper left) is a constant in almost all seabirds. As part of their courtship, albatrosses will open their bills wide, a behavior called a "gape". The ultimate photo op is a "double gape" (upper right). When albatrosses return from their 4 months at sea (December-March), they begin mating almost immediately, typically with their mate from the previous year. A lot of the courtship after that
(March-November) is more of a matter of reinforcing their pair bond (see the section on
Blue-footed Boobies for a discussion of this behavior.
(March-November) is more of a matter of reinforcing their pair bond (see the section on
Blue-footed Boobies for a discussion of this behavior.
The single egg is quite large and is cared for by both parents as well as the "ugly-duckling" chick. Even with an age of 50+ years and good parenting, the albatross population is in serious decline worldwide due to the combined effects of overfishing in general and longline fishing, which unfortunately hooks a significant number of birds each year. Many of the populations are considered threatened.
"I now belong to a higher cult of mortals for I have seen the albatross"
[The great ornithologist] Robert Cushman Murphy, 1912
[The great ornithologist] Robert Cushman Murphy, 1912
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THE RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD - BEAUTIFUL STREAMING TAIL FEATHERS
AND THE RED BILL IS MOST PROMINENT
AND THE RED BILL IS MOST PROMINENT
Tropicbirds are indeed found throughout the tropics. They are long distance fliers, feeding largely on
flying fish. They are beautiful birds and certainly unmistakable. They can be seen (and heard -
they have a loud screeching call) from the dinghy on a few islands, notably Tower (Genovesa)
as they return to their cliffside lodging mid-to-late afternoons.
flying fish. They are beautiful birds and certainly unmistakable. They can be seen (and heard -
they have a loud screeching call) from the dinghy on a few islands, notably Tower (Genovesa)
as they return to their cliffside lodging mid-to-late afternoons.
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THE FLIGHTLESS CORMORANT
IT TRADED (ANTHROPOMORHICALLY-SPEAKING) THE ABILITY TO FLY FOR THE ABILITY TO DIVE DEEPER; ACQURING, OVER TIME, STRONGER LEGS. THE TURQUOISE EYE IS JUST BEAUTIFUL, BUT YOU OFTEN HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND WAIT A WHILE BEFORE IT OPENS.
IT TRADED (ANTHROPOMORHICALLY-SPEAKING) THE ABILITY TO FLY FOR THE ABILITY TO DIVE DEEPER; ACQURING, OVER TIME, STRONGER LEGS. THE TURQUOISE EYE IS JUST BEAUTIFUL, BUT YOU OFTEN HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND WAIT A WHILE BEFORE IT OPENS.
To some extent, it's drying its wings, as most people think, but it's more about thermoregulation -
as in warming up. Before wings were used for flight, they were used as heat exchangers.
The colder the water, the longer the wings are outspread.
as in warming up. Before wings were used for flight, they were used as heat exchangers.
The colder the water, the longer the wings are outspread.
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PENGUINS ON THE EQUATOR? ONLY IN THE GALAPAGOS!
The Galápagos Penguin is the 3rd smallest penguin in the world. The red areas on the bill are part of an amazing heat-exchange system, actually helping to cool the bird. It's like a radiator in the blood system. Very significant for birds who, for the most part, live in the Antarctic region and have over 100 feathers
per square inch on their body for insulation.
The Galápagos Penguin is the 3rd smallest penguin in the world. The red areas on the bill are part of an amazing heat-exchange system, actually helping to cool the bird. It's like a radiator in the blood system. Very significant for birds who, for the most part, live in the Antarctic region and have over 100 feathers
per square inch on their body for insulation.
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The backward C marking behind the eye is what is known as the "sexual characteristic" of the species. It's what they develop as an adult (juveniles do not have these markings). Same as the foot color on the Blue-Footed and Red- Footed Boobies. All penguin species have their sexual characteristics on their heads, which seems odd at first, until you realize that they spend most of the year in the water and since they are "low riders" in the water as they have sold bones (for diving); what they see most of is each other's heads.
They actually do fly - underwater that is. The wings are not atrophied, and they propel the bird
through the water quite rapidly, using Bernoulli's Law (of flight).
through the water quite rapidly, using Bernoulli's Law (of flight).
They are extremely curious, and if you hold your body still in the water
and relax, they may approach and have a look and sometimes a peck
at your mask or camera.
and relax, they may approach and have a look and sometimes a peck
at your mask or camera.
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THE LAVA GULL
A VERY SMALL POPULATION AND RELATED
TO THE LAUGHING GULL. WHEN IT "LAUGHS" WITH GAPED BILL,
THE COLORS INSIDE THE BILL ARE LIPSTICK-RED
A VERY SMALL POPULATION AND RELATED
TO THE LAUGHING GULL. WHEN IT "LAUGHS" WITH GAPED BILL,
THE COLORS INSIDE THE BILL ARE LIPSTICK-RED
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THE SWALLOW-TAILED GULL
THE ONLY NOCTURNAL-FEEDING GULL
IN THE WORLD, AND AMONG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
THE ONLY NOCTURNAL-FEEDING GULL
IN THE WORLD, AND AMONG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
Notice the white mark on the upper part of the bill. It is called a "peck spot," meaning it's the spot for a chick to peck at if it wants to be fed by the parent. In most gulls, the peck spot is red; since the Swallow-Tailed Gull is a nocturnal feeder, (taking squid from the surface) and returning to the nest in the dark,
the spot is a bright white, making it easier for the chick to find.
the spot is a bright white, making it easier for the chick to find.
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An extremely graceful and agile flier, the Swallow-tailed Gull takes its name
from the crossed wings when it is at rest.
from the crossed wings when it is at rest.
A single egg is laid, with a "nest" of bits of coral; whenever a bird lays an egg out in the open it is typically mottled for camouflage. As is the case with almost all seabirds, both parents
take turns guarding and feeding.
take turns guarding and feeding.
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BROWN NODDY TERNS
While describing these flight, figurine-like seabirds (cousins of the gulls),
people often think I'm saying "Naughty Terns"!
While describing these flight, figurine-like seabirds (cousins of the gulls),
people often think I'm saying "Naughty Terns"!
Found on cliff edges throughout the islands, primarily in the west, the Brown Noddy Tern is indeed a brown seabird with a characteristic whitish-grey forehead extending over the eyes and darkening around the neck; it also has black eye lores (the transition area between the eye and the bill).
They also court, mate, nest, and raise chicks on these fragile ledges.
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THE BROWN PELICAN
WHILE THEY HAVE SERIOUS LIVES TO LEAD, THEY ARE SEEN AS COMICAL
FOR THE MOST PART, AS THESE TWO JUVENILES SHOW.
WHILE THEY HAVE SERIOUS LIVES TO LEAD, THEY ARE SEEN AS COMICAL
FOR THE MOST PART, AS THESE TWO JUVENILES SHOW.
Adults have a white head, and a breeding adult has a brown nape, both male and female.