The red-footed booby is a large seabird found throughout the Galapagos Islands. With their bright red feet and blue bills, these charismatic birds are a highlight for many tourists visiting the Galapagos. But with many islands to choose from, where are the best places to observe red-footed boobies in their natural habitat?
What is a Red-footed Booby?
The red-footed booby (Sula sula) is a large seabird in the Sulidae family. Adults have bright red feet, a pale blue bill with a yellow tip, and brownish-white plumage. Their wingspan reaches up to 1 meter. They are powerful fliers and excellent divers, plunge-diving from heights of 20-30 meters to catch fish.
Red-footed boobies are colonial nesters, breeding in large colonies on remote islands and atolls. Breeding pairs engage in elaborate mating rituals, with males raising their wings, pointing their bills up, and whistling to attract females. Once paired, they build a nest of sticks and branches in trees or directly on the ground. A single egg is laid, which both parents take turns incubating for around 6 weeks before it hatches.
Where to Find Red-footed Boobies in the Galapagos
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the largest breeding colonies of red-footed boobies in the world. Their range extends across almost all of the Galapagos, but some islands have better opportunities to observe them up close:
Espanola Island
Espanola Island, located in the southeast of the Galapagos, is a breeding hotspot for red-footed boobies. Hundreds of nesting boobies blanket the ground at Gardiner Bay on the eastern tip of the island. The breeding season here runs from March to December, making it one of the longest nesting periods in the Galapagos. Adults can be seen tending to eggs or chicks, or taking off on fishing forays. The island also has a large population of blue-footed boobies, allowing a side-by-side comparison of the two species.
North Seymour Island
North Seymour Island, just north of Baltra Island, holds one of the most accessible colonies of red-footed boobies in the islands. A 2-hour trail here loops through hundreds of actively nesting birds. Most nests contain fluffy chicks from January to June. The island also hosts magnificent frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas and land iguanas for comparison. Due to its proximity to Baltra airport, this island is included on many day tours from Santa Cruz.
Genovesa Island
The cliffs of Prince Philip’s Steps on the northeast side of Genovesa Island contain the Galapagos’ largest red-footed booby colony, holding several thousand birds. The view from atop the cliffs provides a bird’s eye view of boobies taking flight, plunge-diving for fish, and squabbling for nesting space along the cliff edges. This site is frequented on multi-day cruises that circle the northern islands.
San Cristobal Island
The western tip of San Cristobal Island holds a sizable booby colony at Punta Pitt. A moderately strenuous trail leads uphill to a viewpoint looking down over the nesting boobies and frigatebirds. The breeding season here is December to May. Due to its remoteness, Punta Pitt receives far fewer visitors than the other sites. This island is also home to the Galapagos’ capital city, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Floreana Island
Floreana Island’s green and hilly interior is dotted with multiple inland lakes that attract boobies to nest along their shores. The lakes can be visited on day hikes from the small town of Puerto Velasco Ibarra. Lake trees provide shady spots for boobies to nest and retreat from the sun. Hiking here between January and June will maximize sightings of adults and chicks in nests.
Best Time to See Red-Footed Boobies
The breeding season offers the best views of courting, nesting and parenting red-footed boobies in the Galapagos. The breeding season varies slightly on different islands but generally runs from December to June, peaking between March and May when most chicks have hatched. During this period, you’ll witness boobies in bright breeding plumage, egg incubation, feeding of chicks, and family interactions.
The rest of the year still offers ample opportunities to observe these birds fishing, roosting on shores and cliffs, and soaring over the open ocean. But the colonies are less active than during breeding.
Tips for Viewing Red-footed Boobies
Here are some useful tips to get the most out of viewing red-footed boobies in the Galapagos:
- Bring binoculars – Binoculars are essential for close-up viewing of behaviors like courtship rituals, feeding chicks, and facial details.
- Visit during morning or evening light – The best light for photography occurs in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is lower.
- Be quiet and patient – Move slowly and avoid loud noises to allow birds to carry on their natural behaviors.
- Keep your distance – Follow trail rules and keep at least 6 feet distance from nesting birds to avoid disturbing them.
- Spend time observing – The longer you watch booby behavior, the more fascinating interactions you’ll witness.
- Talk to your naturalist guide – Guides are experts at spotting wildlife and providing context on booby ecology.
Unique Red-footed Booby Behaviors to Watch For
Some of the most fascinating aspects of red-footed booby biology can be observed first-hand in the Galapagos:
- Fishing plunge-dives – Boobies aerially spot fish while flying high above, then plunge head-first at high speeds to catch prey.
- Mating rituals – Breeding pairs perform elaborate courtship displays, like males raising wings and whistling.
- Sky-pointing – For unknown reasons, boobies often point their bills straight up to the sky, even when not courting.
- Squabbling at nest sites – Boobies are quarrelsome and noisily argue with neighbors over nesting space and materials.
- Chick feeding – Watch parents lovingly feed regurgitated fish meals to demanding chicks.
- Preening – Preening helps boobies keep their feathers in top condition. Watch them run their bills through feathers.
Conservation of Red-footed Boobies
Red-footed boobies have a wide distribution across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Globally they are listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, due to their large range and population. However, threats exist in certain areas, including:
- Habitat loss from development and invasive species
- Disturbance of breeding colonies
- Pollution and fishing bycatch
- Climate change affecting ocean health and fish stocks
Protecting breeding and feeding habitat across their range is important for conservation. Within Ecuador, red-footed boobies are protected in the Galapagos National Park. Visitors must follow strict rules to minimize disturbance. Sustainable tourism practices also help ensure habitat preservation in the Galapagos.
Conclusion
Red-footed boobies offer fascinating wildlife viewing and incredible photo opportunities in the Galapagos Islands. The best places to observe them are on colonies on Espanola, North Seymour, San Cristobal and Genovesa Islands, as well as inland lakes on Floreana Island. Visiting during the December to June breeding season provides the most activity. Following some simple viewing guidelines and animal etiquette will allow you to enjoy the boobies while protecting the fragile ecosystems they depend on. With a little patience, you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable views of these iconic Galapagos birds.