Blue Footed Boobies

Probably the most iconic species of the Galapagos is the Blue-Footed Booby.  The birds are not actually endemic to the Galapagos and can be found other places in Central and South America- I’ve seen them before on the West Coast of Mexico in Puerto Vallarta.  However I had never seen so many little blue webbed feet till I landed in the Galapagos.  Their funny name actually comes from the spanish term “bobo” meaning stupid or clown because of the clumsy way they move and walk on land.  However in flight they are graceful and beautiful birds that dive incredibly fast into the water to fish.  They are monogamous birds and are famous for their mating dance in which they lift one foot at a time, throw their heads in the air, lift their tails to the sky and spread their wings.  They do their dance early in the morning and trust me it is worth it to get up to watch these little guys dance!  All around the inhabited islands the gift shops are full of booby paraphernalia with shirts saying “I heart boobies.”  They are a beloved bird of the Galapagos Islands and at the top of any visitors checklist.