Aloha! When you think of Maui, you probably picture turquoise waters, colorful fish, and lush green mountains. While our island paradise is famous for its incredible snorkeling and the chance to swim alongside sea turtles and vibrant coral reefs, another fascinating group of residents might encounter soaring above or nesting along our shores. We’re talking about booby birds—a fun name for some of Hawaii’s most amazing seabirds!
These aren’t your everyday pigeons, folks. Boobies are sleek, agile seabirds with a knack for dramatic dives and distinctive appearances. Spotting one during your Maui vacation is a real treat, adding another layer of wonder to your island experience. While the name might sound a little silly, these birds are anything but! They are skilled hunters and captivating to watch.
While you may not see all the booby bird species found worldwide in Maui, we do have some special visitors. These birds either call our islands home or stop by during their ocean travels. Let’s take a closer look at the booby birds you might encounter during your Maui adventures.
What Are Booby Birds?
Booby birds, known as ʻā in Hawaiian, are large seabirds with long wings, sharp beaks, and webbed feet. They belong to a group called Sula, and there are several types found across the Hawaiian Islands.
These birds are expert hunters. They fly high above the ocean, then dive straight down like arrows to catch fish and squid. Watching them dive is a real treat—it’s fast, powerful, and super cool to see!
In Maui, you can find four main types of booby birds:
1. Red-footed Booby
2. Brown Booby
3. Masked Booby
4. Cocos Booby
Let’s explore each one!
Red-footed Booby
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia – Gregg Yan
Imagine a booby with bright red feet! That’s exactly what you’ll see with the Red-footed Booby. These are the most widespread of all booby species and are often seen in tropical and subtropical regions around the globe, including parts of Hawaii.
What to look for: Red-footed Booby Birds come in a few different color forms, or morphs. Some are mostly brown, while others have a white body with dark wings. But the easiest way to identify them, as their name suggests, is by their vibrant red feet! They also have a pink or bluish pouch at the base of their beak. These are relatively small boobies compared to some of their cousins, and they are often seen nesting in trees or shrubs.
Where you might spot them in Maui: While not as commonly seen close to the main tourist areas, keep an eye out if you take boat trips to some of the smaller, uninhabited islands or along more remote coastlines. Think Molokini Crater! They are skilled fliers and can often be seen soaring gracefully overhead or resting in shrubs by the sea. Our Maui Snorkeling Tours often go to this area, so bring your binoculars just in case!
Fun Facts:
• Red-footed boobies are great at flying long distances.
• Unlike most Red-footed boobies, they nest in trees and bushes instead of on the ground.
• They live in large groups called colonies, often on small islands or steep cliffs.
Brown Booby
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia – Duncan Wright
The Brown Booby is another booby species that you have a good chance of spotting around Maui. As their name suggests, these birds are primarily a rich, chocolatey brown color with a contrasting white belly.
What to look for: Brown Boobies are medium-sized with long, pointed wings and a streamlined body perfect for diving. They have a pale yellow beak and dark eyes. You’ll often see them flying low over the water, searching for fish, or perched on rocks and cliffs along the coast. They are known for their spectacular plunge-dives, precisely hitting the water to snatch their prey.
Where you might spot them in Maui: You can often see Brown Boobies along Maui’s cliffs and rocky shores, especially near places like La Perouse Bay or Kapalua. They also hang out near Molokini Crater, so there’s a good chance you’ll spot one during a tour with us!
Fun Facts:
• Brown Boobies like to nest on rocky ground or ledges.
• They fly close to the water, skimming the waves in search of fish.
• They are strong and fast divers—watch out for splashdowns!
Masked Booby
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia – Forest & Kim Starr
The Masked Booby is a striking bird with a predominantly white body and dark wings and tail. Its name comes from the black “mask” around its eyes, which contrasts sharply with its white face.
What to look for: Masked Boobies are one of the larger booby species. They have a long, pointed yellow or orange beak. They are powerful fliers and often forage further offshore than Brown Boobies. You might see them individually or in small groups.
Where you might spot them in Maui: Similar to the Red-footed Booby, Masked Boobies are more likely to be seen on offshore islands or during boat trips. They tend to nest on flat or gently sloping ground. Keep your eyes peeled during our snorkeling excursions to Molokini Crater!
Fun Facts:
• These birds prefer remote islands and don’t nest on Maui very often.
• They are excellent flyers and can travel long distances for food.
• They dive from higher up than other boobies—sometimes from 100 feet in the air!
Cocos Booby
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia – Martín Sánchez Vilchis
The Cocos Booby is a newer member of the boobies family and is a bit more of a special case for Maui. It’s named after Cocos Island, off the coast of Costa Rica—but it’s also been spotted in Hawaii!
What to look for: Cocos Boobies look very similar to other boobies with a white body and dark wings and tail. Distinguishing them can be tricky, often requiring a close look at subtle beak color and size differences. They are generally a bit smaller than Masked Boobies.
Where you might spot them in Maui: Sightings of Cocos Boobies in Maui are less common. If you do happen to spot a white booby that looks slightly different from the typical Masked Booby, you might have a rarer visitor on your hands! Birdwatching enthusiasts get particularly excited about such sightings.
Fun Facts:
• They look a lot like the Brown Booby, but has slightly different coloring and behaviors.
• Cocos Boobies have been showing up in new areas further west in the Pacific, including Hawaii and even breeding in California for the first time in 2017.
• While generally not very vocal, Cocos Boobies, like other boobies, can make grunting or quacking sounds.
Snorkel Maui
Ready to see these birds and more? Book your Maui Snorkeling Tour today and get ready for a wild and wonderful day on the ocean!
Why Are They Important?
Boobies aren’t just fun to watch—they also help the environment. These seabirds are part of the ocean’s food chain, and they help scientists understand how healthy the ocean is.
Here’s how:
• If booby birds are doing well, it means there’s plenty of fish in the sea.
• If their numbers drop, it might be a sign that something’s wrong in the ocean.
They’re also a big part of Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiian name ʻā shows that these birds have been known and respected for many generations.
Tips for Spotting Them on Maui
Want to see one of these awesome birds while you’re in Maui? Here are a few tips:
• Bring binoculars – They’re great for spotting birds in the air or perched far away.
• Go on a snorkeling tour – Our tours take you near Molokini Crater and other bird hot spots.
• Watch the skies – Look up while on the boat or walking the beach. Boobies often fly overhead.
• Visit cliffs and rocky coasts – Places like La Perouse Bay or the Ke‘anae Peninsula are great for bird watching.
And of course, don’t forget your camera!
Explore Maui With Maui Snorkeling
You get more than an amazing underwater adventure when you join us at Maui Snorkeling. You also get a front-row seat to Maui’s seabird show! Whether you’re watching for flying booby birds or swimming with tropical fish, every trip is packed with nature’s magic.
Molokini Crater Snorkeling Tour (7 AM – 12 PM)
• Visit Molokini Crater and Turtle Town
• Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful reef fish
• Includes breakfast, lunch, and all your gear
• Perfect for early risers who want a full morning on the water
Afternoon Coral Gardens Tour (1 PM – 4 PM)
• Snorkel the Coral Gardens, known for vibrant reefs
• Look for booby birds and playful marine life
• Includes lunch and snorkeling gear
• A great option if you like to sleep in!
Both tours are family-friendly and guided by a fun, experienced crew. And who knows—you might just see a booby bird dive right before your eyes!
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia – Duncan Wright
Final Thoughts
From red feet to black masks, booby birds bring color and excitement to the skies of Maui. These graceful birds are a big part of the island’s wildlife, and they make every boat ride more special.
So next time you’re out on the water, take a moment to look around. You might spot a Red-footed Booby flying by or a Brown Booby diving for fish. Keep your eyes open, your camera ready, and your sense of wonder strong.
And remember—your Maui adventure isn’t just about what’s under the sea. It’s about the amazing creatures above it, too! 🐦
*Cover photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
