Masked booby
Sula dactylatra
The masked booby (Sula dactylatra), also called the masked gannet or the blue-faced booby, is a large seabird of the booby and gannet family, Sulidae.
About the Masked booby
The masked booby (Sula dactylatra), also called the masked gannet or the blue-faced booby, is a large seabird of the booby and gannet family, Sulidae. First described by the French naturalist René-Primevère Lesson in 1831, the masked booby is one of six species of booby in the genus Sula. It has a typical sulid body shape, with a long pointed yellowish bill, long neck, aerodynamic body, long slender wings and pointed tail. The adult is bright white with black wings, a black tail and a dark face mask; at 75–85 cm (30–33 in) long, it is the largest species of booby. The sexes have similar plumage. This species ranges across tropical oceans, except in the eastern Atlantic and eastern Pacific. In the latter, it is replaced by the Nazca booby (Sula granti), which was formerly regarded as a subs
Fun Facts About Masked booby
- The adult is bright white with black wings, a black tail and a dark face mask; at 75–85 cm (30–33 in) long, it is the largest species of booby.
- The species faces few threats; although its population is declining, it is considered to be a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- Territorial when breeding, the masked booby performs agonistic displays to defend its nest.
- First described by the French naturalist René-Primevère Lesson in 1831, the masked booby is one of six species of booby in the genus Sula.
- The masked booby primarily feeds on flying fish and squid, which it captures through high-speed plunge diving.
Conservation Status
The Masked booby is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Sulidae |
| Genus | Sula |
| Species | Sula dactylatra |
Range & Habitat
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