Scientific Name: Sula dactylatra
Malay Name: Angsa-Laut Paruh Kuning
Chinese Name: 蓝脸鲣鸟
Range: A pelagic species, breeding and wintering in tropical waters from 30 degrees north of the equator to 30 degrees south of the equator.
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: dactylatra, melanops, tasmani, personata.
Local Subspecies: personata
Size: 74-86cm
Identification: All white Booby with yellow bill (dull yellow in females and immature birds) with black primaries and secondaries. Face blue-black. Immatures with brown upperparts and underwings, and a white collar. From Red-footed Booby of all ages by greyish-yellow feet instead of red. From immature Brown Booby by white collar.
Similar looking species: Red-footed Booby, Brown Booby
Habitat: Open seas and rarely coastal waters.
Behaviour/Ecology: Strong flyer that prefers to hunt in areas of deep sea; generally not seen from the coast except when breding.
Local Status: Very rare visitor
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2018)
- Migrant bar charts – Aug 28 update (Blog)
- Checklist Revision for August 2022 (Revisions)
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Masked Booby)
References:
BirdLife International. (2018). Sula dactylatra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22736173A132666363.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Eaton, J. A., van Balen, S., Brickle, N. W., & Rheindt, F. E. (2021). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea (Second Edition). Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Masked Booby. Retrieved on May 26, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/masked-booby.