The common names for many species of birds can sometimes be confusing, contradictory, misleading, or a complete mystery. For example, the common name Red-winged Blackbird has always gotten under my skin, because the wing of this bird isn’t red, it is actually black. It is the shoulder that is red, not the wing, so we should rename this bird as the Red-shoulder, Black-winged Blackbird.

The Common Loon is another bird with a confusing name. What does the word, “loon” mean? Turns out the name is thought to be derived from the Scandinavian word “lom” which refers to someone being clumsy or lame. This describes how this bird clumsily moves on land because its legs and feet are located so far back on its body.

No doubt you have heard of a group of birds called swallows. Where does the word “Swallow” come from? No one knows for sure, but perhaps it comes from the Old English word “swealwe” which means to ingest food and could refer to these birds eating while flying. Or it could be related to the Old English word “swell” referring to an erratic flight, which perfectly describes this bird’s flight pattern. I guess its origin of the common name is lost to history.

All of this was running through my head on my recent photo tour of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. One of the most common birds found on this island archipelago is the Blue-footed Booby. Not only is there a Blue-footed Booby but there is also a Red-footed Booby and a Nezca Booby. Three species of booby live in the Galapagos Islands. So where did the name booby come from? The name comes from the Spanish word “bobo” which translate to foolish or clownish.

The reference to clown-like comes from these birds clumsily walking on land. When they walk, they lift their large blue feet high and slowly and deliberately place their foot, one in front of the other. It looks like the large shoes of a clown walking. These birds also have absolutely no fear of humans and walk around with their over-size clown-like blue feet without hesitation. It seems like these birds have a foolish nature, hence their common name.

Turns out there are six recognized species of boobies. They all belong to the genus Sula and three of them are very common in the Galapagos Islands. So, the name Blue-footed seems obvious enough. But you have to ask yourself, why would a bird have blue feet? The blue color of the Blue-footed Booby’s feet comes from blue pigment that is derived from their diet of fish. The pigments act as antioxidants and build up in the birds’ feet, giving them their distinctive blue color. It is believed that the bluer the bird’s feet the better the diet and a bird with better diet is healthier than other birds. So, the blue feet actually indicate an individual’s fitness and ability to reproduce. The bluer the healthier.

All of this birds’ kooky looks and foolish behavior is set aside when the boobies are flying and hunting for fish. Their large strong wings carry them quickly above the ocean’s surface. They spot fish in the water below and dive headfirst into the water at a high rate of speed. They hit the water with such force that they often reach three to five feet into the water, snatching up a fish before bobbing back to the surface. They quickly take flight and repeat this over and over until they have caught enough fish.

So, no matter how silly or goofy a bird’s common name may be, there seems to always be a reason for or reference to the bird’s biology. It’s just one more thing I like about the natural world of birds.   Until next time…

Stan Tekiela is an author / naturalist and wildlife photographer who travels the world to capture images of wildlife. He can be followed at www.Instagram.com and www.Facebook.com. He can be contacted via his website at www.NatureSmart.com.