Masked booby

The masked booby (Sula dactylatra) is a seabird that is found in the tropical regions that encompass the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Northern Australia. It favours island habitats from which it can fly long distances over the sea in search of food.

It measures some 36 inches (92 cms) in length. It has white plumage on the head, back and underparts, with black areas around the eyes and base of the bill. There is black on the rear wing margins and the tail is also black. Male birds have a yellowish bill whereas the female’s is greenish. The legs and feet are light grey.

Masked boobies catch fish by plunging into the middle of a shoal and swimming underwater. They will also take squid. Individuals are often harried by frigate birds that seek to rob them of their catch and often succeed.

They live in colonies, laying their eggs on the ground or bare rock on cliff ledges. Two bluish white eggs are laid and it is common for both chicks to hatch but only one to survive.

© John Welford