Red-footed Booby

seabird · tropical · ocean hunter

Always red feet. Every red-footed booby has brilliant red feet, no matter what color its feathers are. Scientists think the bright color helps them recognize each other during breeding season.

Clumsy flier paradox. These birds are incredible, graceful fliers in the air and can ride the wind for hours. But when they try to take off or land, they become surprisingly clumsy and awkward.

Flying fish hunters. Red-footed boobies catch flying fish by spotting them from high above the ocean, then diving down or swooping to grab them. They also perform shallow dives to snatch fish near the surface.

Island breeders. They live in tropical oceans around the world and gather in huge groups on isolated islands like those in the Chagos Archipelago to raise their chicks together.

Facing threats. Climate change, fishing boats that compete for the same fish, people disturbing their nesting islands, and invasive animals are all making life harder for red-footed boobies.