Species: Blue-footed booby | Location: Galapogos Islands, Ecuador
Siblicide
The blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) is a marine bird native to subtropical/tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean. Blue-footed booby chicks engage in siblicide. That is, during lean times the first hatchling kills the younger chick. The first chick may attack the younger chick by pecking vigorously, or it may simply drag its younger sibling by the neck and oust it from the nest to starve and dehydrate. The mother does not interfere with the ordeal, allowing the siblicide to proceed as nature, apparently, intends. The results are captured in this photograph.
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