Rare Blue-Footed Boobies Spotted in Marina del Rey

Bird spotters in Marina del Rey have recently spotted a creature in Southern California generally associated with the Galapagos Islands—a blue-footed booby.

The birds, which are known for their bright blue feet and usually live in warm waters, have also been spotted in Playa del Rey, Dana Point and the Newport Beach Pier, among other locations, according to SoCal Wild.

On Wednesday, NBC4 reported that four boobies were spotted in Marina del Rey alone.

One booby, discovered near the intersection of Second and West Slauson avenues in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 12, is currently being cared for at the International Bird Rescue (IBR) in San Pedro, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Photos of the booby posted on the IBR blog indicate that it is a juvenile because its feet are not yet the signature bright blue. 

"Upon intake, this bird was found to be thin with some minor abrasions on its maxilla and webbing," IBR executive director Jay Holcomb told the Times. "This bird is now eating well and recovering in an outdoor aviary equipped with a large pool."

Read more:

• A Bevy of Boobies for SoCal [SoCal Wild] 
• Blue-Footed Boobies Delighting California Bird-Watchers [Los Angeles Times]