GALAPAGOS Boobies on YouTube

There are many clips of the boobies on you tube, but I was sure to keep the word Galapagos in the search! They seem like a cross between a large seagull and a pelican. There was on particular clip with at least 50 of them flying by but I couldn't make out the feet to be sure it was a booby. All the other clips seem to only have one or two together. Since they do not migrate in flocks, do they stay in groups?

Also, another question, which do you like better Galapagos or Africa?

Patti

Patti,
There are three species of boobies here on the islands: Blue footed, red footed, and masked boobies (now known as Nazca boobies). They are colonial birds meaning they like to stay together as a group (like the purple martins in front of Harrington). I have seen the blue-foots every day in front of the hotel diving in the water for fish. They are well-adapted for this method of feeding. As they plunge into the water, they hit the water at break-neck speed. However, this does not hurt them because they have air sacs in their skull to cushion the impact of the dive. They also have pointed, tapered beaks and torpedo-shaped bodies. These adaptations serve them well when fishing for a meal.

Africa or the Galapagos??? Tough choice! While watching the frigate birds today, I thought it would be great to be involved in a scientific study of them. While in Africa last year, I thought about returning to study elephants or South African penguins. Both the Galapagos and Africa are places I would return to in a heartbeat!