Masked Boobies feeding in the Tropical Atlantic

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 8, Central Atlantic Ocean, 5 Apr 2015_edited-1

Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 5 Apr 2015

Flying Fish 3, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

The object of the birds desire. Flying Fish, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby 4, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby 44, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby 444a, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby 4444, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby 4444 splash, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

My best attempt to have a bird meeting water was still a fraction late !

Masked Booby 444444, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby with Flying Fish, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby 44444, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby with Flying Fish, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby 9, Central Atlantic Ocean, 5 Apr 2015

Masked Booby Exiting, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby 5, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Masked Booby Exiting, Central Atlantic Ocean, 8 Apr 2015

Steve C

 

2 thoughts on “Masked Boobies feeding in the Tropical Atlantic

  1. 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?

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