The Red-footed booby is still here and the past couple of days it’s done a few close circles around the main rock and house so I’ve been able to get a closer look. Although it’s very difficult to photograph it while it moves so fast!
As they do with most birds, the gulls chase and harass the booby, it’s like they just can help but be menaces to other animals!
I’ve never been a bird person but working at Race Rocks has taught me so much, and now I can add Red-footed booby to my list of bird facts. Here is some of what I’ve learned:
- They are the smallest of the booby species
- They nest in trees as opposed to on the ground
- They live in tropical and sub-tropical areas such as the Galapagos and Hawaii
- Their diet consists of flying fish and squid, in addition to other smaller schooling fish
- Their predators include Galapagos hawks and coconut crabs (yes crabs!)
- The oldest recorded Red-footed booby was over 22 years old
- This is the second Red-footed booby ever spotted in British Columbia
Now I have something thoughts and questions, and I’m aware they are not rational…
- What warm tropical island did it come from?
- Does it know it’s in Canada?
- Is it cold? Confused?
- Has it ever seen a harbour seal before now?
- If a crab is its usual predator, the bald eagles must be TERRIFYING.
- How long will it stay?
- Will any of its friends show up?
Anyway, I’m really enjoying trying to find it each day and take somewhat blurry photos of it. Maybe one day before I leave I’ll snap a decent one!
As for the rest of the blog:
Facility work:
- Painted the new door for the main house
- Cleaned main house windows
- Ran the generator
Vessels:
- Ecotourism: 15
- Private: 12
- Paddle board: 2
- Jetski: 1