Genovesa Island
I absolutely could not resist taking yet another photo of this beguiling, downy baby red-footed booby. Yes, this is the same cute guy whom I knew as an egg, and got a photo of last trip. It is astounding how much these baby sea birds grow in just one week! He can’t hide in the shade of his parent anymore – he is now far too big. However, this chick is still being closely guarded at all times by one parent. It was impossible to tell if it was “Mom” or ‘Dad” who was minding the nestling this morning.
Nesting on an island that is ruled by marauding frigate birds, the adult boobies can’t leave their chicks alone for even an instant during the first several weeks of their lives. Once the chicks have developed sufficient down to protect them from the equatorial sun, and they are big enough such that they would no longer be a tasty tidbit for a frigate, both parents begin fishing. Over a period of four and a half months the adult boobies will fly to offshore fishing grounds and return once a day to feed the young. Gradually the bird’s fluffy, cottony down will be replaced by feathers and if this one is very lucky, he will fledge and head out to sea to chase flying fish on his own. Or, he may not make it.
I am off for a month’s vacation starting on Saturday and when I return for the Christmas and New Years expeditions, I will be eager to see how this individual chick has fared. Good luck, little bird. See you in a month!
I absolutely could not resist taking yet another photo of this beguiling, downy baby red-footed booby. Yes, this is the same cute guy whom I knew as an egg, and got a photo of last trip. It is astounding how much these baby sea birds grow in just one week! He can’t hide in the shade of his parent anymore – he is now far too big. However, this chick is still being closely guarded at all times by one parent. It was impossible to tell if it was “Mom” or ‘Dad” who was minding the nestling this morning.
Nesting on an island that is ruled by marauding frigate birds, the adult boobies can’t leave their chicks alone for even an instant during the first several weeks of their lives. Once the chicks have developed sufficient down to protect them from the equatorial sun, and they are big enough such that they would no longer be a tasty tidbit for a frigate, both parents begin fishing. Over a period of four and a half months the adult boobies will fly to offshore fishing grounds and return once a day to feed the young. Gradually the bird’s fluffy, cottony down will be replaced by feathers and if this one is very lucky, he will fledge and head out to sea to chase flying fish on his own. Or, he may not make it.
I am off for a month’s vacation starting on Saturday and when I return for the Christmas and New Years expeditions, I will be eager to see how this individual chick has fared. Good luck, little bird. See you in a month!
