The blue footed booby is one of three booby species found in the Galapagos Islands and along the Eastern Pacific coastline, where it often nests on rocky shores. These birds are named after the Spanish word "bobo," meaning foolish, due to their clumsy movement on land and their lack of fear of humans, which once made them easy to catch. Their plumage is brown on top with a white rump and black tail, while their underparts are white. The species is best known for its striking blue feet, which are crucial in courtship displays. Females typically choose males with brighter feet, as this is a sign of good health and strong genes. Females are also larger than males and have darker blue feet. Despite their awkwardness on land, blue footed boobies are agile fliers and skilled hunters. They forage in large groups, diving from heights of over 20 meters to catch fish like anchovies and sardines. Their nostrils are permanently closed to aid in underwater swimming, and special air sacs in their skulls protect their brains during high-speed dives. The mating season occurs from June to August, beginning with an elaborate courtship ritual where the male presents the female with a small stick or stone, and then performs a high-stepping dance to display his blue feet. Once paired, the couple typically stays together for life. The female lays two to three eggs, which are incubated by both parents using their large feet to keep them warm. Chicks hatch after about 45 days and are fed regurgitated fish by both parents for about two months. Blue footed boobies are about 81 cm (32 in) long and weigh around 1.5 kg (3.3 lb), with females being slightly larger than males. They have long, pointed wings, yellow eyes, and distinctive blue feet that range in color from pale turquoise to deep aquamarine, with males and younger birds having lighter feet than females. The subspecies found in the Galapagos is larger and has lighter plumage around the neck and head.