Galápagos Blue Footed Booby interesting facts

The blue footed boobies are undoubtedly one of the species that attracts the most attention in the Galapagos Islands. The characteristic color of its legs combines perfectly with the turquoise waters of the Galapagos Islands, a place that is home to around 50% of the population of this species. Here we will tell you a little about their characteristics, rituals, behavior and in what part of the Galapagos Islands it is common to find them.

Blue Footed Booby Babies

Blue Footed Boobies Behavior

One peculiar characteristic about them is that they are not afraid of the humans. Instead of flying out when they notice our close presence, they ignore us completely and do not feel us as a threat. This allows us to appreciate their movements closely. It is an incredible experience that can be enjoyed with very few species of birds, and even less with a special one like the Blue-footed Booby.

The incubation of the eggs takes them between 3 and 5 days. Both male and female are in charge of this task equally. While hatching their baby they acquire a defensive pose with their beaks, on alert at all times preventing a possible approach of other species that usually attack them, as is the case of the frigatebird.

Difference between male and female

There are several clues that will allow us to identify male and female blue footed boobies. The first thing we can see is that the male is usually smaller than the female. They can also be identified by the sounds they make (especially during the mating ritual) the male makes hissing sounds.

They can also be identified by the color of the head and the size of the pupils. White-headed boobies are usually male, and those with dark heads are female. In the same way (although it is a bit more complicated to observe) those with a large pupil are female and those with a small pupil are males.

Blue footed boobies mating dance

The mating season for blue-footed boobies is usually between June and August. The ritual begins with the male picking up a small twig (an indication that he wants to build a nest) and hands it to the female. Then proceed to do the dance.

One of the most amazing experience that you can enjoy in Galapagos is the courtship that the male makes to the female prior to mating. The male begins by approaching the female slowly, accentuating his gait from side to side. In the male we detect his intentions from the moment he begins to approach if we look at his tail, which he keeps raised and erect as a clear sign of satisfaction and ostentation. Once the female’s attention is captured, she begins to lift her wings, displaying them with pride, as this is what females look for when selecting a male.

If you are lucky, you can watch personally this dance on the Los Tuneles tour on Isabela Island. If you are planning to go to Galápagos we’ll be happy to help.

If the blue footed booby’s dance moves succeed and gets the “yes” from the female, she will be starting to organize and prepare the nest for the blue footed booby baby. Things go pretty fast for this birds!!

Females have a few requirements and things they look for in the male to build the nest with, for example, the size of the male. However, probably the most important one for the female (besides the dancefloor performance) is the place the male has chosen to display his dance. The reason for this is that the place where the male displays the blue footed booby dance will be the same place where they will immediately build the nest and the female won’t risk the future of the baby because of the wrong location.

Blue footed booby’s babies are born completely white, even the feet. The reason they have blue feet is because of the type of food they eat, so when the baby is able to fish on its own feet will slowly turn blue and that would be an indication that it has become an adult.

Blue footed booby’s dance dont always suceed

If the female is not quite impressed she will look away and completely ignore the male and the dance. Sometimes, when the male notices this rejection, he tries with more energy and can even bring some wood sticks to give her as a gift to impress her.

If the female is receptive and likes the male she will respond moving her legs and raising her beak, making sounds and showing some excitement too.

Blue Footed Booby Habitat

We can find this bird along of the west coast of the American continent, from the southern United States to northern Peru. However, the vast majority return to the Galapagos Islands to mate. They do not have a fixed mating season, so regardless of the time you visit us you can enjoy this unique show.

Some years ago it was very easy to find specimens on every island in Galápagos. However, due to the lack of their favorite fish (sardines and herring), the number has recently been reduced and Seymour Island is the perfect place to find them. This island, located to the north of the island of Santa Cruz, is an inhabited rocky island where they feel at home, and you will find a large number of other birds such as the frigate bird and numerous species of marine iguanas, as well as a very unique and endemic vegetation of the island. It is also possible to see them on the Los Túneles Tour on Isabela Island during the hiking part included on the tour. In the tunnels of Isabela it is also possible if you have a little luck to see their mating ritual and also see the baby blue-footed boobies.

Although they are more concentrated in some places, in many places in the Galapagos Islands it is possible to find blue footed boobies, so we have prepared a list for you to consider when planning your visit to Galapagos:

Blue Footed Booby Diet

Blue footed boobies are fishing experts.
Watching them feed is also a unique spectacle. If you see them flying over areas near the coast, circling at a constant height, don’t lose sight of them. The moment they see their prey, they launch vertically into the water, at a speed that can reach 100 km / h. After having achieved their goal, they keep swimming in the water or with low flight, with an sense of satisfaction.

Galápagos Marine Iguanas

One of the main attractions of the Galapagos Islands, besides its amazing beaches and volcanic landscapes, are its endemic species like blue footed boobies or marine iguanas. There are a few species that you can only find on the islands, with unique characteristics developed to survive in this very hostile but beautiful environment. This is the case of the marine iguanas, that had to develop this ability in order to survive.  If you visit Galapagos Islands (and we’ll be happy to help you with that) you’ll be able to see the adaptation mechanism of this species like Darwin did and inspired him to develop the evolution theory.

While you decide and plan your trip to Galapagos, we will tell you here all about the Galapagos Iguanas until you are able to see them yourself!

Galapagos Iguanas interesting facts

Why are so many Iguanas in Galapagos?

The marine iguana of Galapagos is one of the key endemic species that is spread throughout the islands. Here they have found an ideal place to live relaxed and comfortable.

Iguanas are part of Galapagos from several centuries ago, and have evolved differently on each island. Here you will find some especies, so you can identify them when you come across one.

Are Galapagos iguanas dangerous?

Galapagos iguanas are not dangerous at all. They usually just lay on the sand or on the rocks and you can walk by them and they wont even care or mind about you. Galapagos iguanas do not attack or do anything to people. Sometimes they would just spit a little bit but dont be scared, they only do that to eliminate the excess of salt in their bodies, not to give you any warnings.

Even though Galapagos Iguanas are not dangerous or aggressive, you have to remember that according to Galapagos Rules you should not get close to them (at least 2m apart), you should not feed them or take photos with flash. Follow this rules and you’ll be fine and you won’t affect the harmony between the Galapagos species and humans.

Galapagos iguanas swimming

Galapagos iguanas adaptation and the Darwin evolution theory

The first iguana arrived to Galápagos million years ago. One of the hypothesis of how they arrived to the archipielago is that iguanas came from the mainland in driftwood pushed by the wind and ocean currents. Since then, they’ve been growing its population creating different types of species and inhabiting many Galapagos beautiful beaches.

The spreading of the species led to some changes in their appearance, like color and size. However, it its believe that the adaptation and evolution they did was caused due to their struggle to survive in Galapagos, which is a ver hostile environment. They developed the ability to swim in order to get food from the sea. They developed the ability to spit the excess of salt to protect their bodies. Another amazing thing iguanas do is to shrink and reduce its size when there’s scarcity and then grown back again. They can reduced up to 20% of their size. Pretty cool right?

Galapagos iguanas size

The size of marine iguanas varies from the different species and islands they are found. The average length of a male is 1.3 meters and an female is around 0.6 meters. This is both for adults. The weight is between 0.5kg and 1.5kg. However, you have to consider that some iguanas can reduce its size and weight to adapt when theres food scarcity and then grow back again.

Galapagos Iguanas Diet – What do they eat?

The Galapagos marine iguana eats once a day, but the largest ones in size feed only every 2 or three days. The Galapagos iguanas diet consist mostly on algae found on rocks in the sea. They used their ability to swim and big claws to hold onto the rocks while they eat. They eat so much salt while swimming and eating algae that they need to spit the excess to protect their bodies.

Types of Galapagos Iguanas

The scientists carried out genetic and morphological studies and a total of 11 subspecies of marine iguanas could be distinguished, 5 of them were just recently discovered.

Galapagos iguanas, although not exclusively marine, they depend to a great extent on the sea.  Despite being considered marine, they only spend 5% of their time in the water.

The smallest marine iguana in the Galapagos is located on the Genovesa Island and the largest in Fernandina and Isabela island; Isla Española on the other hand, has the most colorful iguanas, with green and red spots. The red pigmentation is obtained from an algae that blooms during the warm months. As you can see there’s a lot of variety in color, size and shape within the Galapagos iguanas.

The daily activity of the iguanas depends or is determined by the temperature and the state of the tide.

Española Marine Iguana – Amblyrhynchus cristatus venustissimus

You will find it above the rocks around Española Island.

Isabela Island Iguana -Amblyrhynchus cristatus albemarlensis

Isabela & Fernandina Islands– Amblyrhynchus cristatus cristatus

El Niño phenomenon causes a decrease of more than 85% of the population. However, due to the great work done by the Natural Park, it is estimated that around 100.000 iguanas inhabit this area of the Enchanted Islands, so even if you are not looking for them, you will find some of our friends around.

Santa Cruz Island Iguana– Amblyrhynchus cristatus hassi

Genovesa Island Iguana – Amblyrhynchus cristatus nanus

San Cristobal Iguana – Amblyrhynchus cristatus mertensi

This is not a closed list, but a summary of the main species of iguanas. Iguanas mate between different species, so you can find different iguanas with features of more than one othose described.

If you find some special iguana during your travel to the Galapagos Islands, let us know about it!