Sula leucogaster | brown booby | ʻā
Indigenous
Other Names: akeake
The ʻā, or brown booby is a little taller than 2 feet. Most nest on the ground in small, scattered colonies and feed on flying fish. They can often be seen feeding in mixed flocks. They are mostly dark brown, with white on the belly. Their bill is yellow while the female’s face is also yellow, the male’s is blue.
The map below shows birding trails where you might see this bird. Learn more by visiting our species profile page for ʻā.
Hotspots for brown booby
- Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge | Details for Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Māhā’ulepū Heritage Trail | Details for Māhā’ulepū Heritage Trail
- Kawaiʻele State Waterbird Sanctuary | Details for Kawaiʻele State Waterbird Sanctuary
- Kawainui Marsh | Details for Kawainui Marsh
- Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park | Details for Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park
- Lānaʻi Lookout | Details for Lānaʻi Lookout
- Kaʻena Point Trail | Details for Kaʻena Point Trail
- Open Ocean | Details for Open Ocean
- Keāhole Point | Details for Keāhole Point
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Coastal
![](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/Kilauea-Point-NWR_D-Peebles-300x180.webp)
![Hiking Hiking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/hiking.png)
![Lookout Lookout](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/lookout.png)
![Bathroom Bathroom](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/restrooms.png)
![Interpretive Signage Interpretive Signage](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/signage.png)
![Parking Parking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/parking2.png)
![Ranger Station Ranger Station](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/ranger-station.png)
Māhā’ulepū Heritage Trail
Coastal
![Hiking Hiking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/hiking.png)
![Parking Parking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/parking2.png)
Kawaiʻele State Waterbird Sanctuary
Wetland
![](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/Kawaiele-State-Waterbird-Sanctuary_DLNR-300x180.png)
![Hiking Hiking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/hiking.png)
![Lookout Lookout](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/lookout.png)
![Interpretive Signage Interpretive Signage](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/signage.png)
![Parking Parking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/parking2.png)
Kawainui Marsh
Wetland
![](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/Kawainui-Marsh-300x180.jpeg)
![Hiking Hiking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/hiking.png)
![Lookout Lookout](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/lookout.png)
![Parking Parking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/parking2.png)
Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park
Coastal
![](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/Laie-Point-State-Wayside-Park-300x180.jpg)
![Lookout Lookout](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/lookout.png)
![Parking Parking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/parking2.png)
![Trash Trash](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/trash.png)
Lānaʻi Lookout
Coastal
![Lookout Lookout](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/lookout.png)
![Parking Parking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/parking2.png)
Kaʻena Point Trail
Coastal
![](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/Kaena-Point-Trail-300x180.jpg)
![Hiking Hiking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/hiking.png)
![Interpretive Signage Interpretive Signage](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/signage.png)
![Parking Parking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/parking2.png)
Open Ocean
Open Ocean
![](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/Open-Ocean-300x180.jpg)
Keāhole Point
Coastal
![](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/Keahole-Point-300x180.jpg)
![Lookout Lookout](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/lookout.png)
![Parking Parking](https://hawaiibirdingtrails.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/parking2.png)