Nest Site Selection by Masked and Blue-Footed Boobies on Isla Espanola, Galapagos

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Abstract
On Punta Suarez, Isla Espanola, Galapagos Islands, masked boobies (S. dactylatra) nested at the edge of a cliff, while blue-footed boobies (S. nebouxii) nested farther inland. Elsewhere in the Galapagos, blue-footed boobies nested near cliff edges at 7 of 8 sites where masked boobies were absent. Masked boobies appeared to have difficulty taking flight except from the cliff edge, while blue-footed boobies were able to take off from the interior. Neither species appeared dominant in interspecific interactions, or could displace the other from occupied nest sites. Blue-footed boobies may avoid nesting near cliff edges where masked boobies are present, in order to avoid more frequent conflicts caused by a restricted habitat. Any such competition which occurs seems to involve only a small percentage of either species, and seems unlikely to limit the numbers of breeding birds or the total population.

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