It is the environment that defines the animal. While flight is the major characteristic, living on the ocean demands mechanisms for survival. The characteristics – a paddle for propelling. Streamlined designs for diving. Pointed proboscis to pierce prey. Articulated claws for grasping prey. Feeding off the surrounding ocean. Landing to mate, nest and rest.

Subtle differences in the boobies, red footed, blue footed, Nazca booby. The names alone could provide the making of a Dr. Seuss book. The mating dance, easily mimed, the story line. Easily approached, they possess little fear – laying their eggs, their vulnerable progeny easy pickings for predators, some on the ground, some a few feet above. Never developing the fight or flight exhibited in our continental birds. No predators, just thieves. Attacked only in some sort of aerial hijacking, harrassed by frigate birds pirating the booby’s baitfish, there is no fear, as there is nothing to fear.