Blue-footed Booby

Open edition: Museum-quality giclée print on matte fine art paper (acid-free). Vibrant, long-lasting archival inks. Artist’s digitally printed signature.

5×7” (13×18 cm) — 8×10” (20×25 cm)

8×10” (20×25 cm) — 12×16” (30×41 cm)

12×17” (30×43 cm) — 16×20” (41×51 cm)

16×20” (41×51 cm) — 18×24” (46×61 cm)

20×30” (51×76 cm) — 24×36” (61×91 cm)

Frame not included

Fits most stock frames bodies (slight adjustment may be required to fit properly)

Paper border for better fittings

1. Trim paper to fit your frame molding

2. Extra paper for mounting tabs

3. Edge to edge fit with some stock matted frames

4. Extra paper allows for slightly wider or taller matte windows to show paper instead the edge the paper for a better matted look

For a more precise fitting, use a custom matte in your stock frame

Showing up authentically

Male Blue-footed Boobies display their feet prominently during courtship—lifting them high in exaggerated marches, the brighter the blue, the healthier the bird. This honest signaling works because foot color directly reflects diet quality and immune function. Blue-footed Boobies embody the principle that confidence comes from authenticity, understanding that showing who you genuinely are attracts the right connections.

Joy in the process

Courtship dances involve sky-pointing, wing-spreading, foot-lifting, and ritualized gift-giving of sticks and stones—elaborate performances that can last hours. Pairs return to these displays throughout their relationship, not just during initial courtship. This represents finding joy in ritual and process, understanding that playfulness strengthens bonds and that taking things seriously doesn't mean taking them solemnly.

Shared investment in outcomes

Blue-footed Booby pairs share all parenting duties equally—incubating eggs with their warm, webbed feet, regurgitating fish for chicks, and defending the nest together. Both parents make dozens of fishing trips daily, plunge-diving from heights up to 80 feet. This represents commitment demonstrated through consistent action, understanding that partnership means showing up day after day, not just in the beginning.

Blue-footed Boobies inhabit tropical and subtropical waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, breeding primarily on islands from the Gulf of California south to Peru, with the largest colonies in the Galápagos Islands. They nest on rocky coastlines and islands with minimal vegetation, often in large, dense colonies. They're rarely seen far from shore, preferring productive coastal upwelling zones where fish are abundant. Unlike many seabirds, they don't migrate long distances, instead moving locally to follow fish populations.

Common Name: Blue-footed Booby
Scientific Name: Sula nebouxii
Length: 30-33 inches (76-84 cm)
Weight: 3.25-3.5 pounds (1.5-1.6 kg)
Wingspan: 60-62 inches (152-158 cm)
Sexual Dimorphism: Females are slightly larger than males and have larger pupils, which makes their eyes appear darker. Males have brighter blue feet on average
Coloration: Brown upperparts with white patches, white head and underparts with brown streaking on neck. Bright turquoise-blue webbed feet—color varies based on diet and health. Long, pointed gray-blue bill. Yellow eyes with dark pupils
Distinctive Features: Distinctively colored blue feet used in courtship displays; streamlined body built for plunge-diving; long, pointed wings; wedge-shaped tail; binocular vision for judging diving distance.

Blue-footed Boobies are spectacular plunge-divers, hunting fish by diving from heights of 30-80 feet at speeds up to 60 mph. They enter the water like arrows, often submerging 10-15 feet deep. They hunt cooperatively in groups, herding fish into tight schools before diving. Their diet consists primarily of small schooling fish like sardines and anchovies.

Their courtship ritual is among the most elaborate in the bird world. Males perform "sky-pointing" displays—stretching neck and bill skyward while whistling. They march in place lifting their bright blue feet high, showing them to females. Males also present females with small stones or sticks as gifts. Once paired, both birds participate in these displays together, strengthening their bond.

Breeding can occur year-round depending on food availability. Pairs nest on bare ground, creating a shallow scrape surrounded by a ring of guano. Females typically lay 2-3 eggs, which both parents incubate by standing on them with their warm, webbed feet for 41-45 days. Parents share feeding duties equally, regurgitating fish for chicks.

Blue-footed Boobies are relatively quiet except during breeding season. Their most common vocalization is a hoarse, whistling call—"aggr" or "arrggh"—the sound featured on this artwork. Males produce higher-pitched whistles during displays, while females make honking calls. These vocalizations intensify during courtship and nest defense.

Your print is made to order and ships from the closest production location to you, helping reduce delivery time and the chance of customs delays. Facilities are located across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, the U.K., Australia, and Japan. Most orders ship from within the same region they’re delivered to.

If your country requires VAT (such as the U.K. or EU), it’s collected at checkout. U.S. customers are not charged VAT.

Production

2–5 business days for production fulfillment

Shipping

Estimated delivery (after production):
US: 3–8 business days
Canada / Europe / Australia: 5–12 business days
Other international locations: Timing varies by region based on local carriers

These are estimates and not guarantees — delivery times may vary during high-demand seasons.

VAT
For many international destinations (including the UK and EU), VAT is collected at checkout and included in your order total. This helps reduce unexpected charges on delivery.

Customs Duties & Import Taxes
Some countries may still apply additional import charges, depending on:

Local regulations

The value of your order

Whether your country applies duties to printed goods or framed products

These fees, if applied, are the responsibility of the recipient and are not included in the product or shipping cost.

Tariff rules vary by country and sometimes change year-to-year. Depending on your region, you may see customs tariffs on certain manufactured goods. When possible, your order ships from a regional facility to help minimize or avoid tariff costs.

The holiday season brings significantly increased demand across all shipping carriers. This can affect both production and transit times.

Here’s what you need to know:

Order earlier than usual to ensure holiday delivery.

Carriers may apply seasonal surcharges and experience longer processing times.

Delivery estimates are not guaranteed during peak holiday periods.

Orders placed in late December may arrive after the holiday, depending on your region.

Instead of strict cutoff dates (which vary globally and change year-to-year), the safest window is:

For December gift-giving, place orders as early in November as possible.