As I mentioned before, the Masked Booby most often flies alongside the ship, but will also ride along level with the bow, but never as much as the Brown Booby. They will watch proceedings from above. As Flying Fish leave the water they generally follow from a height, sometimes hovering momentarily. When the fish re-enters the water it is swiftly followed by the bird. The Masked Booby plunge dives, tucking in the wings just before entry. Again the images below speak for themselves. We saw many Masked Boobies come back to the surface with fish. They do appear to have a good dive to catch ratio.
Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 5 Apr 2015
The object of the birds desire. Flying Fish, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015
Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015
Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015
Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015
Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015
My best attempt to have a bird meeting water was still a fraction late !
Masked Booby with Flying Fish, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015
Masked Booby with Flying Fish, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015
Masked Booby Exiting, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015
Masked Booby Exiting, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015
Steve C
Hello Three Amigos, Would one of these photos of a Masked Booby plunge diving be available for publication in a university level animal physiology textbook?
Please feel free to use. Please credit the blog site if you don’t mind