Masked booby

 

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Tahitian names

Ua'ao, Kena, Uakao

Interesting facts

The masked booby is able to dive more than several tens of meters in height to catch a fish. It feeds mainly on flying fish and squid. The Kena nests on the ground in scattered colonies, often on the beach in windy places. During the breeding season the parents incubate 2 eggs, laid 6 days apart, but will only care for one during hatching. The male has a bright yellow beak, while it is green-yellow in the female.

Tetiaroa now boasts a resident masked booby family. The happy couple hatched 2 chicks in October in their nesting area in the northern part of motu Hiraanae.

  Adult size (wingspan)   2,5 - 2,8 ft
  Incubation   42 - 49 days
  Parental care   109 - 151 days
  Longevity   23 years
  Distance from coast for fishing   124 miles
  Abundance in Tetiaroa (2022)   1 couple
  Statut UICN   Least Concern

 

Resources & Documents

sources & credits