Peruvian Booby
A species of Boobies Scientific name : Sula variegata Genus : Boobies
Peruvian Booby, A species of Boobies
Botanical name: Sula variegata
Genus: Boobies
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Francesco Veronesi , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The Peruvian booby has brown upperparts, and white underparts, as well as a white head. There is noticeable white mottling on the upper side of the wings. Their wing-coverts are tipped white, creating a scale-like pattern. They have a long, pointed, grey bill. Their feet are webbed and also grey; as opposed to the characteristic colouring of the blue-footed and red-footed boobies Female boobies tend to be larger than their male counterparts: their bodies an average of 19% heavier, and their wings 4% larger.
Size
76 cm
Life Expectancy
17.2-20.5 years
Feeding Habits
Peruvian Booby primarily feeds on anchovy and mackerel, diving from great heights to snatch prey from the water. Adaptive in hunting, peruvian Booby showcases unique dietary preferences, seeking out schools of fish in coastal waters during daylight hours.
Habitat
Peruvian Booby inhabits strictly marine environments, favoring the cool, nutrient-rich waters of coastal upwelling zones for feeding. The species is typically found nesting on bare, arid islets characterized by rocky cliffs and ledges. While in some regions peruvian Booby may nest on cliff ledges, in others, it shows a preference for open, flat terrain. These habitat choices are influenced by a requirement for significantly cooler temperatures compared to closely related species. Peruvian Booby is indigenous to broader geographical zones with these coastal and offshore island habitats.
Dite type
Piscivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
The Peruvian booby is confined to the waters of the Humboldt current, off the coast of South America. They can be found off the shores of Peru, south to the middle part of Chile. Their abundance on the islands of Lobos de Tierra and Lobos de Afuera have resulted in a great deal of research being done on the species from these locations. Their colonies nest on smooth, windswept sand flats that allow their nests to stay between a temperature range of approximately 28 °C to 38 °C. These salt flats, or pampas, allow for a fairly high density of booby nests.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Francesco Veronesi , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Gannets and Relatives Family
Sulids Genus
Boobies Species
Peruvian Booby