We have egg-citing news about a species making a comeback in the Philippines! Earlier this year, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park social media platforms shared that their pair of Masked Boobies (Sula dactylatra) had laid another egg. This pair, named Amihan and Alon, are the proud parents helping to restart their local population.
THE COMEBACK OF THE CENTURY
It was 1995 when the last Masked Booby was recorded in Bird Islet. After years without a Masked Booby, Amihan was spotted in May 2016 during an annual census. She waited on the islet until October 2019 when Alon arrived. By June 2020, Amihan had begun laying eggs.
It was tough at first.
Amihan spotted with her two eggs. (TMO | Jeffrey David)
Some of the eggs kept disappearing without a trace! After laying 11 eggs, Amihan finally managed to hatch one of her eggs. Sadly, the Chick passed away at five months old due to unknown causes.
At last, it was in 2022 when the pair was able to raise a daughter named Roxana (she was named after a Seabird scientist from Mexico who advised the team about the species). In 2023, the couple had another egg and managed to raise this to adulthood as well.
This year, it looks like Amihan and Alon are possibly expecting again as a couple of eggs have been spotted at their nest. Not only that, but another Booby landed on the islet in December 2023, bringing up the population to five Birds!
The team is hoping that the population grows to 150, a number considered stable for the species. Isn’t it wonderful to see these Birds bouncing back after nearly 30 years since they disappeared from Tubbataha?
HATCHING THE CONSERVATION PLAN
Bird Islet is the only confirmed breeding site of Masked Boobies in the country. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, they’re classified as Critically Endangered under the Philippine National List of Threatened Fauna (DENR DAO No. 2019-09).
Although found around the tropical oceans of the world and classified as being of Least Concern by the IUCN, this does not mean that the species is out of hot water as their population is decreasing worldwide, according to BirdLife International.
Just like other Seabirds, Masked Boobies are also threatened by habitat loss when humans occupy islands, their primary habitat. According to the Tubbataha team, other threats include egg collection, predation by Cats and Rats, and getting caught in the lines of fishing boats.
KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH
One particular challenge for Masked Boobies is that it’s difficult to know where they fly when they leave the islet. This makes it especially challenging to know which locations should be protected for them.
According to Retch Alaba, Assistant Protected Area Superintendent/Research Officer, they are trying to better understand the Bird’s movement by putting a ring band on the leg of some of the Masked Boobies. This could help them spot and recognize the individuals when they see them around the park. They also hope that people who spot them will help report their presence when they fly around.
UP NEXT!
Amihan, Alon, Roxana, and the other Masked Boobies aren’t the only Birds living on Bird Islet. There are several seabird species thriving in the safety of the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park.
Watch out for the next article where we get to meet the other Birds living here and learn more about how the team has been protecting them.
