Feeding time for blue-footed boobies is fascinating to watch as the birds circle the air before making a dramatic dive into the ocean.
The Galapagos Conservation Trust shared the birds’ eye-catching dive in a short video explaining that the marine bird can dive deeper than 65 feet (20m) and for longer than 30 seconds, in order to catch their prey.
However, their dives usually are rather shallow and short. As you’ll see 27 seconds in, the birds plunge into the water from as high as 330 feet (100m)!
The blue-footed booby is a marine bird native to subtropical and tropical regions of the eastern Pacific Ocean. They get their name from the males’ bright blue feet.
The adaptation isn’t just for show. Or rather, it’s for show to lure the female of the species. The bluer the feet of a male booby, the more attractive they are as a mate!
Like all other sea birds, blue-footed boobies are at increased risk from plastic pollution including eating micro-plastics and getting tangled by larger pieces floating in the waters.
Find out more of the conservation efforts underway at the Galapagos Conservation Trust.
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