Fauna
Bird

Masked Booby

Sula dactylatra

Also known as Masked Gannet, Blue-faced Booby, White Booby

Masked boobies are spectacular plunge-divers that hurtle into tropical seas from heights of up to 30 meters, slicing into bait balls to seize flying fish and squid. Nesting in loose colonies on remote oceanic atolls, mated pairs establish ground nests scraped directly into coral sand or volcanic gravel. Females typically lay two eggs, but obligate siblicide invariably occurs within days of hatching, leaving only the stronger firstborn chick to fledge.

SeabirdPelagicPlunge Diver
Masked Booby reference1 / 7
Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlying fish, Pelagic squid, Mullet
Predators
  • Feral cat
  • Black rat
  • Great frigatebird
ThreatsIntroduced mammalian predators on breeding islands, commercial longline fisheries, and marine plastic pollution
HabitatsTropical open oceans, coral atolls, and oceanic islands
Life span15–25 years
Classification
  1. FamilySulidae
  2. SpeciesSula dactylatra
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Nesting adults defend ground scrapes with sharp bill jabs; keep several meters back.
Why it is dangerous
Possesses a stout, dagger-like bill with fine serrations capable of slicing skin and causing puncture wounds when provoked.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Distinguished by bright white plumage, jet-black wing edges and tail, and a dark facial mask framing a pale yellowish bill.
What to do
Do not corner ground-nesting adults or reach toward scrapes; step away slowly if a bird stands and points its bill toward you.
What to notice
Recognized in colonies by their shallow scrape nests on bare rock, sand, or turf surrounded by guano borders.
Support conservation
Stick strictly to marked trails on protected breeding islands, avoid sudden movements, and never stand over an active nest.
Responsible observation
  • Viewing distance: Give nesting adults at least 5 meters of clearance on breeding trails to prevent defensive strikes.
  • Pelagic spotting: Scan open tropical waters for lone white birds trailing fishing vessels or dive-bombing surface fish.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…