Masked Booby

Sula dactylatraOrder: PELECANIFORMESFamily: Booby and Gannets (Sulidae)

Breeding Location:

Islands, sandy or rocky



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Colonial



Breeding Population:

Yes but uncommon



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

1 - 2



Incubation Days:

38 - 49



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Lined with slight rim of pebbles.



Migration:

Nonmigratory



Splitbar

Overview

Masked Booby: Large seabird with white body, black trailing edge on wings, pointed black tail. Head has black mask and long, pointed, yellow bill. Legs and feet are yellow-gray. Plunge dives from 40 feet for small squid and flying fish. Alternates strong rapid wing beats with glides.

Range and Habitat

Masked Booby: Breeds in Bahamas and West Indies, and on other islands in tropical Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Rare visitor to coasts of Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, and in Gulf Stream to the Carolinas. Pelagic, only comes ashore to breed.

Breeding and Nesting

Masked Booby: One or two chalky white eggs are laid in a shallow ground depression with a slight rim of pebbles. Incubation ranges from 38 to 49 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Masked Booby: Eats primarily fish and squid; forages by plunge diving, sometimes from as high as 40 feet and to depths of 6 to 10 feet underwater.

Readily Eats

Vocalization

Masked Booby: On breeding grounds, makes a high-pitched whistle; usually silent at sea.

Similar Species

Masked Booby: Nazca Booby has an orange bill. Red-footed Booby is smaller, has white tail, white inner secondaries, pink facial skin, and red legs.

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Family Booby and Gannets (Sulidae)_blue
Species Sula dactylatra
Length26 - 34 Inches
Wingspan61 Inches

Masked Booby

Masked Booby: Large seabird with white body, black trailing edge on wings, pointed black tail. Head has black mask and long, pointed, yellow bill. Legs and feet are yellow-gray. Plunge dives from 40 feet for small squid and flying fish. Alternates strong rapid wing beats with glides.

● Song: Generally silent

● Foraging & Feeding: Masked Booby: Eats primarily fish and squid; forages by plunge diving, sometimes from as high as 40 feet and to depths of 6 to 10 feet underwater.

● Breeding & nesting: Masked Booby: One or two chalky white eggs are laid in a shallow ground depression with a slight rim of pebbles. Incubation ranges from 38 to 49 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Masked Booby: Nazca Booby has an orange bill. Red-footed Booby is smaller, has white tail, white inner secondaries, pink facial skin, and red legs.

Flight Pattern

Alternates several deep flaps with glides.
Masked Booby Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Masked Booby: Breeds in Bahamas and West Indies, and on other islands in tropical Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Rare visitor to coasts of Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, and in Gulf Stream to the Carolinas. Pelagic, only comes ashore to breed.
BreedingMonogamous, Colonial
PopulationYes but uncommon
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight51.2 Ounces