Peruvian Booby breeds along the western coast of South America from northern Peru to central Chile. Non-breeding birds can range as far north as Ecuador.
It is a common species within its range, although it is susceptible to disturbance and has suffered significant population crashes in the past due to the exploitation of guano, overfishing of Anchoveta and perhaps most significantly the effects of El Niño which in 1982-1983 reduced the population from 2.7million to only 730000. A 75% reduction in the population in just one season! Their population does, however, have the ability to recover fairly quickly. Only 3 years later the population had almost doubled and was back up to 1.2million.
All gannets and boobies fish by plunge diving from about 10-30m above the surface of the ocean. By sweeping their wings back just before entering the water, they are able to penetrate down to a depth of up to 10m just from the speed of the dive alone. Once underwater they use their wings to propel themselves even deeper in the pursuit of their fish prey, reaching depths of up to 25m.
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