- 2 - 
Species Accounts 
Blue-faced Booby 
This was the most abundant species on Howland with an estimated 1000 birds 
present. Clubs of up to 100 birds were found at night along the east shore, 
and smaller clubs were found at scattered points just inland from the beach 
around the entire island. Scattered breeding pairs were encountered in areas 
of vegetation bordering the beaches. No particular portion of the island 
contained a concentration. Four young birds (nestlings or locals) and eight 
9 
nests with eggs were noted. Birds in clubs were quite spooky. During banding 
operations attempts were made to capture only unstreamered birds because all 
streams red birds were tagged during the previous two months. Over 90% of the 
birds are now streamered and banded. The blue streamers show up fairly well 
at night under headlamps used by personnel, but are quite difficult to see on 
flying birds during the daytime. At least five birds which had been red- 
painted on Baker Island were noted in the clubs on Howland* 
On Baker Island only four adults were seen most of them flying over the 
island. One full grown fledgling was present on the west side of the island 
near the lighthouse. 
Browit ; Booby 
An estimated 50 adults (including a few subadults and flying iramatures) 
were present on Howland. The majority of adults were nesting in a loose colony 
in vegetation along the beach at the southwest end of the island. At least 15 
nests with eggs and one half grown chick were found in this area. One 3/4 
grown chick was found along the beach on the southeast end of the island. A 
few adults were encountered in Blue-faced Booby clubs at night. One adult was 
seen flying over Baker Island. 
