Endangered brown booby seabird spotted in Ilocos Sur

VIGAN CITY, Philippines — An endangered brown booby seabird has been spotted at a tourism site in Santiago, Ilocos Sur, prompting wildlife advocates to remind the public to protect the species.

The brown booby, photographed by Jonas Jesalva in Mapisi Rock or Biak-Na-Bato Park in Barangay Ambucao, is a large tropical seabird known for its dark brown and white upper and lower body parts, respectively.

The bird feeds on fish and squid, catching its prey through plunge-diving in seawater.

Although classified as a “species of least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its wide global distribution, the brown booby is listed as endangered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The bird’s population is threatened by disturbance of its nesting sites, egg collection, entanglement in fishing gear, marine pollution and dwindling food sources.

Brown boobies are typically found in tropical seas, rocky coastlines and remote islands including breeding colonies in protected areas such as the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan. 

Wildlife experts said a booby bird staying on shore  or land longer than expected could be exhausted, injured or disoriented.

When this happens, the public must not approach, feed or touch the bird, and must notify the nearest DENR office or accredited wildlife rescue center for proper assessment and rescue if necessary. 

Experts said the sighting of the bird in Ilocos Sur highlights the need to protect the country’s threatened wildlife and preserve their natural habitats.