Thursday, March 3, 2022

RBA: Apparent NAZCA BOOBY off Vancouver Island - Feb 26-27th

At 9:08 pm on Feb 26-2022, Rebecca LaForge and Captain Hans Jessen found an apparent subadult Nazca Booby while aboard the fishing vessel The FV Raw Spirit. The photos available are not that clear but appear to show a rosy/orange cast to the basal half of the bill blending to a yellowish tip. The concavity on the culmen also points to Nazca. Nazca Booby would also be more likely in our waters.

The bird stayed put on the bow until 3 am on Feb 27th when it flew off. It did not return for the remainder of their time at sea. Rebecca and the crew were able to obtain photos and video of the bird.

The bird was viewed off the Brooks Peninsula, 170 nautical miles from land as they were heading WNW.

Map to location HERE

If this were to be accepted as a Nazca Booby by the records committee it would be the 3rd record for BC. There was also a Nazca/Masked Booby in 2020 off Galiano Island that could not be confirmed to species.

Apparent Nazca Booby off Vancouver Island - Photos: Rebecca LaForge

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