One of the bird species nesting on the Galapagos Islands is the blue-footed booby. The name is derived from its unusual blue feet and the Spanish name "bobo" ("stubborn" or "foolish" in English), which refers to the clumsy way the bird moves on land. Large specimens can reach a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters (5 ft). Of particular interest to researchers are the parent-offspring conflicts due to its asynchronous breeding behavior. The unequal growth and size differences between the chicks often lead to siblicide (siblicide) when food is scarce. The range of the blue-footed booby extends along the Pacific coast of the Americas from California to Peru, with the birds on the Galápagos Islands making up around half of the entire population. It was identified as a separate subspecies in 1948.

Dives and diet

The blue-footed booby feeds almost exclusively on fish, which it catches underwater. From heights of well over 10 meters (33 ft), sometimes even up to 100 meters (330 ft), it dives into the ocean at a speed of almost 100 km/h (62 mph). It can reach depths of 25 meters (80 ft). Special air sacs in its head protect the brain from the pressure

Cause of the coloration

The blue coloration of the feet is due in part to the carotenoids the boobies get from fresh fish and also plays an important role in courtship. When food is less plentiful, the feet become paler, indicating that the birds are in poorer condition.

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