booby

Booby is a common name for several large seabirds in the genus Sula, family Sulidae. Boobies are found in tropical and subtropical oceans, often on or near offshore islands and coastal zones. The group includes several widely recognized species, such as the blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii), red-footed booby (Sula sula), brown booby (Sula leucogaster), masked booby (Sula dactylatra), and Peruvian booby (Sula variegata). They are medium to large seabirds with sturdy bodies, long pointed wings, and relatively short tails. Plumage varies by species, and many boobies have distinctive facial or leg coloration (for example, blue feet in the blue-footed booby).

Behavior and ecology: boobies are plunge divers, feeding mainly on fish and sometimes squid. They dive from the air with high speed to catch prey in the water. They nest in dense colonies on remote islands or coastal cliffs, usually laying a single egg per breeding attempt. Both parents participate in incubation and in feeding the chick. Courtship is elaborate, with displays such as sky-pointing, whistling, and aerial dances.

Distribution and conservation: boobies occur throughout tropical and subtropical oceans. Populations can be sensitive to changes in fish stocks caused by overfishing or climate events such as El Niño. Several species are widespread and of least concern, while others face localized threats on breeding islands.

Name origin: the name booby is thought to derive from the Spanish bobo, meaning fool, reflecting the birds' tame behavior around people. In English, "booby" has also come to refer to a fool, and the term has given rise to the phrase booby trap.

In other contexts, the word booby may refer to a booby trap or to a foolish person.