Rare Patient Alert: Nazca Booby

Found in Oregon in front of a sushi restaurant, a Nazca Booby is in care at our Los Angeles Wildlife Center. Photos: Katrina Plummer

Rare patient alert! A Nazca Booby that was found in poor condition in Newport, Oregon last month in front of a sushi restaurant, is now getting expert care at International Bird Rescue. The wayward booby was stabilized at the Oregon Coast Aquarium before being transferred to our Los Angeles Wildlife Center in San Pedro, CA.

Rare patient: Nazca Booby getting some wing stretching time in the larger outdoor aviary. You may be able to spot it on our live #BirdCam.

Clinic staff are closely monitoring its health and they are making sure the emaciated seabird is getting proper nutrition.

The Nazca Booby (Sula granti) is a rare stray along the California and Oregon coasts. Their usual range extends from islands in the Pacific Ocean to Baja California, and south to Ecuador and Colombia. During the breeding season, these boobies gather on the Galapagos Islands.

Sometimes confused with the Masked Booby – the Nazca Booby has an orange bill; the Masked a yellow bill.

Over the years Bird Rescue has rescued and rehabilitated dozens of boobies, including the Red-footed Booby, Blue-footed Booby, and Masked Booby. When these boobies are ready to return to the wild, we usually arrange for a pelagic (open ocean) release.

Want to help with the care of this Nazca Booby? Donate now