The Galápagos Islands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 392

Boobies
For many, boobies are a highlight of any trip. Why? It may be because
of their accessibility in large colonies that nest along the trails. More
likely, though, it is their funny name in conjunction with the equally
humorous “booby dance” that they perform during courtship.
Three species of boobies nest on the islands: the blue-footed, the red-
footed, and the masked booby. Of the trio, the blue-footed booby is
the most commonly seen. The blue webbed feet, face, and beak make
for great photographs, particularly during the famous courtship
dance. And they are not modest about their agenda. A zoom lens will
do little to dissuade an active couple. Listen for the male's whistle.
The red-footed booby nests only on a couple of the smaller, more
distant islands, and is, therefore, less observed by visitors (despite
the fact that it's actuallymore common than the blue-footed booby).
The largest and least colorful of the three species is the masked
booby , which is also common throughout the islands. A blackish,
featherless “mask” surrounds its face and stands in contrast to the
snow-white feathers on its body. The tips of its wings and tail are also
black.
Each of the three species has evolved to occupy a slightly different
ecological niche within the island ecosystem. All of them fish for food,
but they do so in varying proximity to shore. The birds, with their
sleek bodies and swift flight, are perfectly designed for dive-bombing
schools of small fish.
Waved Albatross
To watch a giant waved albatross waddle up to the edge of a cliff, take
a few steps, and plunge off is a fascinating sight. Its awkwardness is
enough to make one wonder how the huge bird can leave the ground,
let alone leap off a cliff and survive. Immediately, though, the bird
rises back up to the cliff's edge, then elegantly and effortlessly drifts
away. The waved albatross is, in fact, the only true “seabird” around,
spending years at a time at sea. Lost sailors would be horribly mis-
taken to identify an albatross as a sign that land was nearby.
Up-close, the albatross is enormous, the largest of all the islands'
winged creatures. Its courtship display should not to be missed, espe-
cially if you are visiting the Galápagos during the fall. (Forget about
seeing an albatross around the new year holidays - the birds are all
out to sea from the beginning of the year until about April.)