Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii), Patagonia Lake State Park, Santa Cruz County

This Blue-footed Booby was discovered by Richard Wilson on 15 August 2013 and photographed by Andrew Core and Terry Minks on 16 August 2013 and by Tyler Loomis on 18 August 2013.

First documented booby (of any species) for southeast Arizona.  Eight previous records for Arizona for this species.  The Southwest is experiencing a mini-invasion of pelagic species.  There have now been three boobies and one shearwater reported in Arizona and one booby reported in New Mexico. 

Immature booby with brownish head, back and wings and white belly and underwings. White patches on nape, base of rump and very pale tail (darker distal tips to outer retrices) eliminate other Boobies. 

16 August 2013, photos by Andrew Core

 

16 August 2013, photos by Terry Minks

18 August 2013, photos by Tyler Loomis

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