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.

Where is Isabela Island? Ubicate it in this Galapagos Islands Map  🗺️

Before understanding how to get to Isabela, it is useful to understand its location. The Galapagos Islands are in the eastern side of the Pacific Ocean, 900 km west from Ecuador mainland. Isabela Island is the western island out of the 3 main islands in the Galapagos Islands. On this map, you’ll be able to see where exactly is Isabela located and it would be easier to understand how to get there.

How to travel to Isabela Island in Galápagos? 🚤

The only two islands with commercial flights airports are Baltra Island (north of Santa Cruz) and San Cristobal Island. Unfortunately, there are no flights from the mainland Ecuador that land on Isabela Island.

For this reason, the best way to get there is on a water taxi from Santa Cruz Island which is the closest one. These boats are the most common transportation between the islands in the Galápagos archipielago.

The price of each way is $35 and it takes 2 to 3 hours depending on the weather and sea conditions. The schedule for the boats departures from and to Isabela are fixed and you should take them into consideration while planning your trip:

Another more expensive option is to take local flights on small planes that go between islands. There are two airlines in the Galapagos Islands that offer this service. Prices per flight are around $150 but depends on the season. Here are the website of both pages if you want further information:

• EMETEBE
• FLY GALÁPAGOS

This travel option will save a lot of time moving from San Cristobal to Isabela (flights should be 30 min instead of the 4 hours on a boat), but since these flights are not so common, time and availability may change a lot.

When is the best time to visit Isabela Island?

Every month is a great month to visit Isabela and the Galapagos Islands in general. However, even though the Galapagos Islands do not have the 4 seasons and its almost an all year summer, there a few variations that can impact some of the species you’ll get to see. Here is a full article on the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands, seasons, weather and real time weather forecast for each island.

Isabela is one of the best islands to do free activities on your own and it’s so big and beautiful you will always feel you didn’t have enough time to do all you want. However, to help you plan and create your personalized itinerary here’s some free and very cheap activities you can do on Isabela.

Snorkeling at Concha Perla

Concha perla is a shallow bay with very calm and transparent waters, the closest thing to a natural pool. Is located near the port and on the walk there you’ll get to see plenty of marine iguanas laying around and getting some sun.

If you have your own snorkeling equipment (as we have recommended) take it there and you will see a great variety of fish and sea lions. If you don’t have it, you can rent them or simply cool off and swim quietly in the water.

El Muro de las lágrimas, El Estero, Humedales

This is the ideal tour to spend a wonderful afternoon in Isabela. It is a path of about 5 kilometers where you can stop at different places, each one more beautiful than the other.

This route can be done on foot or by renting a bicycle for the day to make the trip lighter and faster. Price for the full day bike renting would be aroun $12 and $2 by the hour.

It starts at the Wall of Tears and back to the port you can stop at places such as El Estero, the resting beach and finish enjoying the sunset at Playa del Amor or having a cocktail at Beto’s Bar.

Turtle Breeding Center / Galapaguera

On Santa Cruz Island and San Cristobal you will also find turtle breeding centers, however, the one in Isabela is the most complete and is completely free. It is very close to the Poza de las Diablas, you can walk from there.

Poza de las Diablas Lagoon

If you want to see flamingos in their natural habitat, this magical place is ideal for watching these types of birds. This place is very close to Wetlands and Wall of Tears. The best way to make the most out of your time would be to start in the Galapaguera, from there take the path through the flamingo pool and when you leave you will be near the beach on the route that goes to the Muro de Las Lágrimas.

Isabela beaches

If you are looking for a relaxing day, there a lot of beaches on Isabela where you can just go and lay there and spend the rest of the day sunbathing along with sea lions and iguanas. We recommend Playa Puerto rico or Playa de Jobos

Isabela Highlands

Ask a taxi drive to take you to Isabela Highlands and you’ll get to visit amazing and very different places like Mirador del Mango, a viewpoint with an amazing sight of all the Island. You can also visit Cueva Sucre which is a natural lava cave.

Must do Tours on Isabela Island

Although there are many free places to visit in Isabela, without a doubt taking at least one day tour is necessary to get the full experience of everything the Island has to offer.

These tours are paid as there are protected places that by law, you can only access accompanied by a naturist guide. These are the top ones departing from Isabela

Los Túneles Tour

If you like snorkeling under lava tunnels along with tortoises, sea lions and sharks this is the tour for your. Los Tuneles is one of our favorite snorkeling tours, and the #1 must do tour if you are on Isabela Islands. This tour includes snorkeling and an amazing walk over the Tuneles where if you are lucky enough, you’ll get to see blue footed boobies mating dance

Price for this tour is $140 and includes bilingual guide, equipement and lunch. Click here to know more details and to book. 

Tintoreras Tour

Half day tour to do snorkeling with sharks in the Tintoreras Islet near Isabela Island and to take a nice short walk over an out of this world volcanic landscape.

Sierra Negra Volcano tour is a full day hiking tour that will get you to the top of the Sierra Negra and Volcan Chico volcanoes. From there, you’ll get to see its crater and have an amazing panoramic view of the Islands. This tour is around 8 hours, 16 kilometers and is not hard but you need to have full energy to do it. The tour departs 7am so make sure you sleep the night before at Isabela Island. It includes guide, transportation and lunch.