The Peruvian booby is an endemic bird of the Peruvian current, and an important predator of the marine community to which it belongs. Its distribution is much less widespread than other closely related booby species. It is the most abundant seabird species that inhabits the Peruvian coast and the second most important guano-producing seabird. During the mid-twentieth century, the Peruvian booby population reached 3 million birds.
Region
Humboldt Current off Peru and northern Chile
Typical Environment
Breeds on rocky and guano-rich offshore islands and headlands along the arid Peruvian coast, extending into northern Chile and occasionally to southern Ecuador in cold years. Forages mostly over the continental shelf and nearshore waters where upwelling concentrates schooling fish. It favors cold, highly productive fronts and eddies created by the Humboldt Current. Nesting colonies are typically on flat or gently sloping ground with sparse or no vegetation.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 100 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A specialist of the cold, nutrient‑rich Humboldt (Peruvian) Current, the Peruvian booby is a major consumer of anchoveta and a key guano producer along Peru’s coast. Its numbers can swing dramatically with El Niño events that disrupt upwelling and fish availability. It plunge-dives at high speed, often foraging in coordinated flocks with cormorants and pelicans.
Showing the brown upperparts of the wings
Showing the white underparts
Peruvian booby nest made of guano and soil
Temperament
social and colonial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats and short glides
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on offshore islands, with pairs forming seasonal bonds. Typical clutches are 2–3 eggs laid in shallow scrapes on guano-covered ground. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks, and breeding timing tracks peaks in anchoveta availability.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Generally silent at sea; at colonies males give high-pitched whistles while females produce deeper honks or grunts. Calls increase during courtship, territorial interactions, and chick feeding.
