Sula dactylatra
Length: 30-35 in Wingspan: 60-65 in Weight: 3-5 lbs
Identification:
Clean white with black wings and tail. Yellow bill with dark face.
Distribution:
Found in tropical waters around the world. In North America, has attempted to breed in the Dry Tortugas, but typically only seen wandering at sea in the Gulf of Mexico.
Cool Facts:
Masked Boobies lay two eggs, but only raise one chick: the first chick to hatch pushes the younger chick out of the nest, a behavior known as obligate siblicide. Raising a single chick is advantageous when resources are scarce, but laying two eggs is an insurance policy in case one doesn’t survive to hatching.
Make your own bird cookies!
References:
Bird on the Move 