Bird Guide

Masked Booby vs Red-footed 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
Red-footed Booby (Sula sula)

Red-footed Booby

Sula sula

Large1.0 kgMarine

The red-footed booby is the smallest member of the booby and gannet family at about 70 cm (28 in) in length and with a wingspan of up to 152 cm (60 in). The average weight of 490 adults from Christmas Island was 837 g (1.845 lb). It has red legs, and its bill and throat pouch are coloured pink and blue. This species has several morphs. In the white morph the plumage is mostly white (the head often tinged yellowish) and the flight feathers are black. The black-tailed white morph is similar, but with a black tail, and can easily be confused with the Nazca and masked boobies.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: AnonymousUnknown author, United States Coast Guard · Public domain

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