19/08/2026
The blue-footed b***y may steal the spotlight in Galapagos, but have you met its red-footed relative? ❤️
✨ Red-footed bo***es are the smallest of the species and the tree-dwellers of the family. Instead of nesting on the ground, they build nests in shrubs and trees, using their evolved, longer toes to grip branches. Their feather colors are unique - the brown morph, most commonly seen in Galapagos, is predominantly brown with a white belly, rump, and tail.
Like their blue-footed cousins, they have a fascinating courtship ritual. Males lift their heads toward the sky and show off their bright red feet to attract a mate - all while balancing in the trees!
✨ From the Galapagos Conservation Trust: “They have a single egg which is incubated by both sexes for around 45 days. Chicks fledge at around three months old. They usually only lay an egg once every 15 months but this is offset by the fact that they can live for over 20 years.”
In comparison, blue-footed bo***es lay 1–2 eggs and typically live 15–20 years in the wild. Both species form strong, long-term pair bonds, though they don’t always stay together for life.
🌊 They are both incredible ocean hunters, using streamlined bodies to dive for fish 🐟 While blue-footed bo***es hunt small fish near the surface and rely heavily on sardines, red-footed bo***es enjoy a flexible diet that also includes flying fish and squid, traveling long distances to forage and even hunting at night.
✨ You might be surprised to learn that red-footed bo***es are the most numerous b***y species in Galapagos. Their population sits at an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 birds, vastly outnumbering the famous blue-footed bo***es (around 6,400 to 20,000).
You can see red-footed bo***es year-round, but the best time is their nesting season from January to September. This is when colonies are buzzing, courtship behavior is on full display, and you can spot adorable, fluffy white chicks in their nests ❤️
✈️ Planning a trip? Make sure your itinerary includes Genovesa Island, home to the largest red-footed b***y colony on the planet! You can also visit a smaller colony at Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island.
📷 credit: Laura Percy Photography
