Species BirdsRed-footed Booby

Red-footed Booby

Sula sula

RareBird
Illustration of Red-footed Booby (Sula sula)

The Red-footed Booby is a highly variable seabird with more color morphs than any other booby. The diagnostic red feet are shared with no other booby. It breeds on tropical Pacific islands including Hawaii. It is the most arboreal booby, nesting in trees and shrubs rather than on open ground.

Habitat
Tropical Pacific islands including Hawaii; very rare on continental US coasts
Diet
Flying fish and squid caught in aerial dives
How common
Rare

Best time to see a Red-footed Booby

The best time to see a Red-footed Booby is October–March, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,869 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Red-footed Booby? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Red-footed Booby sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Red-footed Booby? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Red-footed Booby is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More birds

Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Red-legged Kittiwake
Red-legged Kittiwake
Rissa brevirostris
Red-masked Parakeet
Red-masked Parakeet
Psittacara erythrogenys
Red-necked Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
Red-necked Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Red-throated Loon
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata