Brown booby

Introduction: Brown boobys (Sula leucogaster) inhabit tropical coastal waters, close to the shore just beyond breakers. Also found in sheltered bays.

Distribution: The Atlantic Ocean regions around Walvis Bay and Swakopmund and Mercury Island in Spencer Bay.

Diet: Plunge-dives and eats mostly flying fish and squid, foraging with dolphins and gamefish.

Description: Leucogaster is Greek for 'white-bellied'. Head, neck, upper breast and upper parts dark chocolate brown in colour. Often confused with the red-footed booby.

Breeding: Brown boobys nest in loose colonies on the ground or on steep slopes.

Size: 70cm.

Weight: 1kg.

Wingspan: 1.5m.