The Nazca Booby (Sula granti) is the largest of the three booby species found in the Galápagos, easily identified by its brilliant white plumage, black flight feathers, and a distinctive orange-to-coral colored bill, which contrasts with the blue-footed booby's namesake feet. Once considered a subspecies of the Masked Booby, it was reclassified as a distinct species based on genetic and behavioral differences, and it now breeds in large colonies on islands such as Española, Genovesa, and San Cristóbal. Nazca Boobies are known for their siblicide behavior, in which the first-hatched chick, typically larger and more aggressive, often kills its younger sibling shortly after hatching—a stark survival strategy thought to ensure that at least one chick survives when food resources are limited. They are powerful plunge-divers, foraging far out at sea for flying fish and other small schooling fish by diving from considerable heights and using the momentum to capture prey underwater. With their striking appearance and fascinating breeding biology, Nazca Boobies are a captivating species to observe, particularly during their elaborate courtship rituals, which include sky-pointing displays and mutual bill-fencing between potential mates.
