The masked booby (Sula datylatra) is the largest of the three species of boobies found on the islands. With a wingspan of approximately 5 feet, this bird needs to nest close to the cliffs. It takes advantage of the waves that crash the cliffs and create uplift.
This bird has a fixed nesting cycle. It breeds the same time of the year, but there might be a variation from island to island. This seabird feeds a bit off the seashore and therefore it is seen rarely fishing. Today along our trail we took a close look at these beautiful white birds, called by a scientist the "whitest bird imaginable" -- and they truly are.
