The brown booby is a large seabird in the booby and gannet family Sulidae, of which it is one of the most common and widespread species. It has a pantropical range, which overlaps with that of other booby species. The gregarious brown booby commutes and forages at low height over inshore waters. Flocks plunge-dive to take small fish, especially when these are driven near the surface by their predators. They nest only on the ground, and roost on solid objects rather than the water surface.
Region
Tropical oceans worldwide
Typical Environment
Found across tropical and some subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Breeds on low, often remote oceanic islands, coral cays, and rocky islets with sparse vegetation. Forages mostly over inshore and near-shelf waters but also ranges offshore, especially around upwellings and current fronts. Frequently seen around reefs, lagoons, and island coastlines, and it readily perches on human structures at sea.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The brown booby is a pantropical seabird known for spectacular plunge-dives to catch small schooling fish near the surface. It breeds colonially on remote islands and roosts on cliffs, rocks, ships, and buoys rather than on open water. Adults show striking contrast between dark chocolate-brown upperparts and a clean white belly, making them easy to pick out in flight. They often associate with predatory fish that drive prey to the surface.
Temperament
social and colonial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats and low, direct flight over water; powerful plunging dives
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on ground nests scraped in sand or among low vegetation. Pairs engage in mutual preening and bill-pointing displays during courtship. Both parents incubate and feed chicks by regurgitation. Outside breeding, birds roost communally on cliffs, rocks, and marine structures.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal mainly at colonies, giving harsh grunts, quacks, and barks. Males tend to whistle or peep, while females give deeper honking calls. At sea they are generally quiet.
