bluefooted

Blue-footed typically refers to the blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii), a large seabird in the booby family Sulidae. It inhabits tropical and subtropical Pacific coasts, with a prominent presence on northern Galápagos Islands and along coastlines from Baja California to Peru. The species is associated with dry, island and coastal habitats where it nests in colonies on cliffs and shorelines.

Adults are mostly white below and brown on the back, with long wings and a distinctive, vividly blue pair of feet. Foot color varies among individuals and can reflect age, diet, and health; both sexes have blue feet and there is little overall plumage variation between males and females, though females are typically slightly larger. Courtship is notable for its elaborate display: males perform foot-stamping dances, parading in front of females, and both partners may engage in mutual posturing and vocalizations. The intensity of foot color is thought to influence mate choice, with brighter blue feet indicating higher foraging success or condition.

The species breeds in colonies and usually lays two eggs per clutch. Incubation lasts about 38–42 days, and both parents take part in incubating and feeding the chicks. Chicks are semi-precocial and fledge after several weeks, eventually becoming independent. The blue-footed booby feeds mainly on small schooling fish, captured through plunge-diving from flight.

Conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though breeding success can be affected by El Niño events that reduce prey availability. Predation and habitat disturbance on some islands are additional localized concerns.