Masked Booby

Sula dactylatraOrder: PELECANIFORMESFamily: Booby and Gannets (Sulidae)
Masked Booby Breeding Male Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Dagger
  • Eye color: Yellow iris
  • Head Pattern: Masked
  • Crown color: White
  • Forehead color: White
  • Nape Color: White
  • Throat color: White, Black
  • Cere color:
Masked Booby Breeding Male Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 66-86 cm (26-34 in)
  • Weight: 1451 g (51.2 oz)
  • Size: Size 4. Large (16 - 32 in)
  • Color: White, Black
  • Underparts: White
  • Upperparts: White with dark brown trailing edge on wings.
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Masked Booby Breeding Male Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Alternates several deep flaps with glides.
  • Wingspan Range: 152-157 cm (60-62 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings, Long-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Pointed Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Black
  • Under Tail: Black
  • Leg color: Green, Yellow
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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