Boobies - Petrels - Shearwaters

Manuel Antonio National Park, located along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, is home to a variety of seabirds, including Boobies (Sulidae), Petrels (Procellariidae), and Shearwaters (Procellariidae), which can be found in the nearby coastal waters. Boobies, such as the Brown Booby, are expert divers, often seen plunging into the ocean to catch fish and squid. These seabirds are recognized for their distinctive blue feet and streamlined bodies, allowing them to efficiently hunt in the water. Petrels, like the Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, are small, graceful seabirds that typically inhabit the open ocean, where they feed on plankton and small fish, often foraging far from shore. Shearwaters, including the Pink-footed Shearwater, are strong, long-distance migrants that can be seen gliding over the ocean’s surface, using their distinctive "shearing" flight style to cover vast areas in search of food. These seabirds contribute to the park’s rich biodiversity and are important indicators of the health of marine ecosystems, helping to maintain the balance of the ocean’s food web.