Sulidae Archives - NatureWorks

Sulidae - Gannets and Boobies

There are 10 species of medium to large, stocky seabirds in this family. They are found on islands and coasts around the world, except for in the Antarctic.

They have thick, pointed, cone-shaped bills; webbed feet; and pointed wings. Most species are white with brown or black markings on their wings.

They breed and nest in colonies. Nests are made on cliffs, rocky islands, or in trees. Female boobies lay 2-3 eggs, and gannets usually only lay one egg.

Both the male and the female incubate the eggs for 40-55 days using their webbed feet. Both the male and female feed and care for the chicks.

The birds in this family dive for fish from the air or from the surface of the water.

Northern Gannet
(Morus bassanus)

The northern gannet is found in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. In North America, it is found off the Atlantic Coast from Canada to Central America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Cape Gannet
(Morus capensis)

The Cape gannet is found in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The Cape gannet breeds only on six islands off the coast of South Africa and Namibia. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
Australasian Gannet
(Morus serrator)

The Australasian gannet is found in The Australian gannet is found in Australia and New Zealand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Abbott's Booby
(Papasula abbotti)

Abbott's booby breeds only on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
Masked Booby
(Sula dactylatra)

The masked booby is found in tropical waters around the world. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Nazca Booby
(Sula granti)

The Nazca booby is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Baja California, Mexico to the Galapagos Islands. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Brown Booby
(Sula leucogaster)

The brown booby is found in tropical oceans around the world. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Blue-Footed Booby
(Sula nebouxii)

The blue-footed booby is found along the Pacific coast from California to Chile. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Red-Footed Booby
(Sula sula)

The red-footed booby is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Peruvian Booby
(Sula variegata)

The Peruvian booby is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern