Bird Guide

Masked Booby vs Nazca Booby

Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra)

Masked Booby

Sula dactylatra

Huge1.7 kgMarine

The largest species of booby, the masked booby ranges from 75 to 85 cm (30 to 33 in) long, with a 160–170 cm (63–67 in) wingspan and 1.2–2.2 kg (2.6–4.9 lb) weight. It has a typical sulid body shape, with a long pointed bill, long neck, aerodynamic body, long slender wings and pointed tail. The adult is bright white with dark wings and a dark tail. The sexes have similar plumage with no seasonal variation, but females are on average slightly heavier and larger than males. The bare skin around the face, throat and lores is described either as black or blue-black.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: ImagePerson · CC BY 4.0
Nazca Booby (Sula granti)

Nazca Booby

Sula granti

Huge1.7 kgMarine

The species has a yellow iris, orange and pinkish beak, black facial skin in the form of a mask, and grey feet. Adults present white plumage with black tips of the wings and tail. The female is bigger and heavier than the male, has a slightly differently colored beak, and squawks while the male whistles. Chicks are snow white and fluffy, plumage changing to grey along with beak and feet upon fledging.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Original uploader was Soler97 at en.wikipedia · Public domain

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Masked Booby and Nazca Booby.