Foraging behaviour and diet of Brown boobies Sula leucogaster from Tinhosas Islands, Gulf of Guinea

Seabirds are a highly threatened group, yet the foraging ecology of several species remains poorly understood. Brown boobies breed in all oceans tropical region and common across their range. In Tinhosa Grande (São Tomé Príncipe), this breeds one largest colonies seabirds east Atlantic. We studied from colony during chick-rearing period. Thirty-three birds were tracked with GPS loggers diet was analysed 11 regurgitations, using traditional DNA barcoding techniques for prey identification. A total 127 completed trips identified, 89% which lasted less than 24 h. Females performed significantly longer both sexes foraged preferentially over deep oceanic waters. The included juvenile fish squid (Sthenoteuthis pteropus), comprising mostly whose phases live pelagic environment, only migrate to coastal waters when adults. most frequent those found Flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans). relevance such shows that booby conservation depends not on management areas breeding sites but also correct adjacent support adult individuals some prey. Our results suggest closest do have available resources these feed may be associate subsurface marine predators or sargassum patches forage.