(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - booby, brown
OTHER COMMON NAMES - brown booby and brown gannett
ELEMENT CODE - 11/27/86
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Aves,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Pelecaniformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Sulidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Sula,
SPECIES AND SSP - leucogaster,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Sula leucogaster
AUTHORITY - Boddaert, 1783
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 624, 4112 and 3950
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Originally Pelecanus leucogaster, also known by species names 'Leucogastris' or
'Leucogastra', once classed under the order Steganopodes *624,4112*
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Federal Migratory
Nongame-Protected
Commercial
Accidental
Migrant
See Comments
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 758 and 3950
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
Taken as food by local people around breeding grounds *3950*
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
References on County Occurrence - 001, CB1, CB2, CB3 and AO1
References on Seasonal Occurrence - Accidental *700*
References on County Abundance - 001, CB1, CB2, CB3 and AO1
OTHER DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - Aquatic
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 3950
LAND USE -
Water
Chesapeake Bay
Atlantic Ocean Coastal Waters
Barren Land
Sandy Areas other than Beaches
Bare Exposed Rock
Mixed Barren Land
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 700, 624, 2484, 4112 and 4173
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Marine, subtidal OWO V
Marine, intertidal RF1
Marine, intertidal BB2
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 700, 624, 2484, 4112 and 4173
ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
PARASITIZES CONSPECIFICS, CONGENERS, AND BIRDS OF THE GENUS,FREGATA.
REFERENCES FOR SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - 3950
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 2484 and 4112
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Atheriniformes Not Specified
General Semionotiformes Not Specified
General Gasterosteiformes Not Specified
General Clupeiformes Adult stage
General Pleuronectiformes Not Specified
General Beryciformes Not Specified
General Perciformes Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Adult stage
General Squid, Octopus Adult stage
General Molluscs Adult stage
General Malacostraca Adult stage
General Crustaceans Adult stage
General Animals Not Specified
General Animals Adult stage
Important Atheriniformes Not Specified
Important Osteichthyes Not Specified
Important Animals Not Specified
Juvenile Malacostraca Adult stage
Juvenile Crustaceans Adult stage
Juvenile Pleuronectiformes Not Specified
Juvenile Perciformes Not Specified
Juvenile Osteichthyes Not Specified
Juvenile Squid, Octopus Not Specified
Juvenile Molluscs Not Specified
Juvenile Animals Adult stage
Juvenile Animals Not Specified
Juvenile See Comments; Food See Comments
Adult Malacostraca Adult stage
Adult Crustaceans Adult stage
Adult Squid, Octopus Adult stage
Adult Molluscs Adult stage
Adult Atheriniformes Not Specified
Adult Semionotiformes Not Specified
Adult Gasterosteiformes Not Specified
Adult Clupeiformes Adult stage
Adult Pleuronectiformes Not Specified
Adult Beryciformes Not Specified
Adult Perciformes Not Specified
Adult Osteichthyes Adult stage
Adult Osteichthyes Not Specified
Adult Animals Not Specified
Adult Animals Adult stage
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 2484 and 4112
REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 4112, 3950 and 606
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 2484, 606, 4174, 4112 and 3950
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE FOOD - 4174 and 2484
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD -
Nestlings are fed semidigested food from parents *2484*
Food Habits - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Coastal Features: Sand bars
G Coastal Features: Rocky offshore islands
G Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G Soil Needs: Sand
G Terrestrial Features: Depressions
G Terrestrial Features: Bare ground
G Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Open water [pelagic zone]
G Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Specified in Comments
G Water Depth Preference: 10-25 ft.
G Water Depth Preference: 5-10 ft.
G Coastal Features: Reefs
G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
G Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
G Biodegradable Organics: Specified in Comments
G Terrestrial Features: Caves, dry
G Coastal Wetlands: Sounds and bays
G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G Coastal Features: Sand beaches
G Vegetations Successional Stage: Bare rock
LIM Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Specified in Comments
LIM Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
LIM Biodegradable Organics: Specified in Comments
LIM Coastal Features: Sand bars
LIM Coastal Features: Rocky offshore islands
LIM Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
LIM Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
LIM Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
LIM Terrestrial Features: Caves, dry
LIM Terrestrial Features: Bare ground
LIM Soil Needs: Sand
LIM Water Depth Preference: 10-25 ft.
LIM Water Depth Preference: 5-10 ft.
LIM Vegetations Successional Stage: Bare rock
E Biodegradable Organics: Specified in Comments
FJ Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Open water [pelagic zone]
FJ Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Specified in Comments
FA Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Specified in Comments
FA Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Open water [pelagic zone]
FA Water Depth Preference: 10-25 ft.
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
FA Water Depth Preference: 5-10 ft.
FA Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
RA Coastal Features: Rocky offshore islands
RA Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
RA Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
RA Coastal Features: Reefs
RA Coastal Features: Sand bars
RA Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
RA Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
BA Biodegradable Organics: Specified in Comments
BA Coastal Features: Rocky offshore islands
BA Coastal Features: Reefs
BA Coastal Features: Sand bars
BA Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
BA Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
BA Terrestrial Features: Caves, dry
BA Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
BA Terrestrial Features: Depressions
BA Terrestrial Features: Bare ground
BA Soil Needs: Sand
BA Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
BA Substrate: Plants
BA Relation to Substrate: Occurs on substrate [not penetrating]
BA Coastal Features: Sand beaches
BA Vegetations Successional Stage: Bare rock
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 2484, 3950, 4174, 4172, 4112, 606, 4168, 4169 and 4173
REFERENCES FOR LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 2484, 3950, 4174, 4172, 4112, 606 and 4169
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 2484, 4112, 4174, 4172, 3950 and 606
REFERENCES FOR RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3950, 606 and 4168
REFERENCES FOR BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 4169, 606, 4112, 2484, 3950, 4168, 4174 and 4173
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 606, 4112 and 3950
REFERENCES FOR RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 4112
REFERENCES FOR EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 4169
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
Feeds primarily in shallower inshore coastal waters of bays and inlets,
often in surf zone *2484,3950,4174,4172*; breeds and feeds in tropical
and subtropical waters *4112,606*; effects of insecticide pollution on
eggs and breeding adults discussed *4169*
COMMENTS ON RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Often uses nest site, including perches in shrubs or trees as resting
habitat *606,3950*
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
COMMENTS ON FEEDING ADULT ENVIRONTAL ASSOC_ -
Prefers shallower inshore waters, less than 20 ft deep, often in surf
zone *2484,4112,3950,4174,4172*; 00020S tropical waters *606,4112*
COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Effects of insecticide pollution on breeding adults discussed *4169*;
tropical zones *606,4112*
COMMENTS ON RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Nestlings rest at nest site, and may require shading by adult *4112*
COMMENTS ON FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Prefers shallower inshore waters, often uses surf zone *606,4112,3950*
COMMENTS ON EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Effects of insecticide pollution discussed *4169*
Environment Associations - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Moderate sized booby, adults dark brown except for
white breast, belly and wing linings, legs and feet yellowish to greenish,
sexes similar except female is heavier with stouter bill, length = 26-29
inches, wingspread = 54-59 inches, weight = 2 1/2 lbs. *606,4112*
REPRODUCTION: Breeding Season = Basically year 'round especially where
populations are low, peak laying months may run in 8 month cycles
*2484,4112,3950,606,4170,4174,4173*; Incubation Period = 42-47 days,
averages 43 days, eggs incubated by being held between parents' webbed feet,
no brood patch *4174,3950,4112*; Reproductive Periods/Year= 1 brood, will
occassionally lay a replacement clutch *2484,4112,4174*; Breeding Behavior =
Colonial, monogamous, usually mate for life, detailed by sources
*4112,2484,3950,606,4171*; Minimum Breeding Age = 4 years, sometimes 3 years
*4112*; Clutch Size = 2, sometimes 1, usually only one young is fledged
*2484,4112,3950,606,4174,4173*
BEHAVIOR: Territoriality = Breeding season over nest site only
*4112,606,4168*; Daily Periodicity = Diurnal *606,4112*; Dispersion = During
nonbreeding season, especially among first year juveniles *606,4112*;
Migration = Thought not to have true migration, only dispersion
*606,4112,758*; Foraging Strategy/Sites = Dives from 10-15 meters in air and
from surface, also follows ships, feeds primarily in shallower inshore
waters often in surf zone, occasionally a pelagic feeder
*2484,4112,3950,606,4174*; Nest Site = On rocky, sandy or vegetated islands
and islets, cliffs, beaches, on bare rock, in trees, or caves, also on
sandbars, nest varies in structure with either sparse lining or greater
amounts of sticks and seaweed *2484,4112,3950,606,4168,4173,4174*;
Development of Young = Altricial and nidicolous, asynchronous hatching means
rarely do both chicks fledge, fledging period = 91-105 days, average = 98
days *2484,4112,3950,4174*; Parental Care of Young = Both sexes incubate and
brood first 2-3 weeks *2484,3950,4174*
ORIGIN: Exotic *700,624*
POPULATION PARAMETERS: Survival rates for hatching, fledging, and overall
breeding is detailed, hatching success = 12% of all eggs laid *4112,3950,4174*
AQUATIC ASSOCIATIONS: Often feeds with flocks of pelicans *2484*
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 700, 624, 2484, 3950, 606, 4112, 4168, 4170, 4174, 4171, 758 and 4173
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling undesirable vertebrate species
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Regulating harvest - setting bag/creel limits
Beneficial Public education - law enforcement
Beneficial Public education - publicity
Beneficial Prohibiting harvest of species being described
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Adverse Applying insecticides
Existing Other management practices [specified in comments]
REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 4169, 2484, 3950 and 4170
REFERENCES FOR ADVERSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 4169
REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 4170
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
None known in western hemisphere, but some are suggested for Malaysian
populations *4170*
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species booby, brown
Species Id M040021
Date 26 AUG 96
References
606* Palmer, R.S. 1962. Handbook of North American Birds. I.
Yale Univ. Press New Haven, Conn:557.
624* Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S. 1966. Birds of North
America: A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Press New York,
N.Y:340.
700* Ornithology, Virginia Society of. 1979. Virginia's
Birdlife: An Annotated Check-list. Virginia Avifauna No. 2.
Virginia Society of Ornithology Lynchburg, Va:118.
758* (ed.)1982. Fish and wildlife. 50 CFR 10 (Code of Federal
Regulations). General Serv. Admin. Washington, D.C:7.
2484* Bent, A.C. 1922. Life histories of North American petrels
and pelicans and their allies. Dover Publ., Inc. New York:355.
3950* Cramp, S., Simmons, K.E.L., (eds.). 1977. THE BIRDS OF THE
WESTERN PALEARTIC..
4112* Nelson, J.B. 1978. THE SULIDAE: GANNETS AND BOOBIES.
Oxford Univ. Press:1012.
4168* Kepler, C.B., Kepler, A.K. 1977. The sea birds of Culebra
and its adjacent islands, Puerto Rico. Living Bird 16:21-50.
4169* Morrison, M.L. 1979. Eggshell thickness changes in Pacific
Ocean Phaethontidae and Sulidae. Condor 81(2):209.
4170* Langham, N. 1979. Malaysia's last seabird refuge. Oryx
15(1):83-86.
4171* Dorward, D.F. 1962. Behavior of boobies Sula spp. Ibos
103b:221-234.
4172* Diamond, A.W. 1978. Feeding strategies and population size
in tropical seabirds. Am. Nat. 112(983):215-224.
4173* Kepler, C. 1978. The breeding ecology of sea birds on
Monito Island, Puerto Rico. Condor 80(1):72-87.
4174* Dorward, D.F. 1962. Comparative biology of the white booby
and the brown booby Sula spp. at Ascension. Ibis 103b:174-220.
References - 1