A smooth landing, feet first

Today we join the fun with this blue-footed booby on the shores of the Galápagos Islands and celebrate Darwin Day. It is said that the name booby comes from the Spanish word 'bobo,' which means stupid. Boobies were so named because sailors could easily catch them and, therefore, thought they were not very clever. Their distinctive, bright blue feet are easy to notice, as Charles Darwin did during his visits to South America and the Galápagos Islands. A fascinating thing about these marine birds is their exuberant mating dance—the male bird stomps around flashing his feet. These birds mate for life and recognize their partner by their unique call.
© Tui De Roy/Minden Pictures