Photo: Masked Boobies: A Proud Only Child

It’s not surprising that Darwin was inspired by the Galapagos Islands; they provide incredible access to animal behavior. For example, the masked boobies (I’m talking about birds here) nest openly on the volcanic rocks on Espanola Island. Typically each couple lays two eggs about five days apart. Assuming both hatch, the older sibling forces the younger one out of the nest, claiming all the parental attention and resources for itself. I must say, as a second child, this siblicide makes me a little uncomfortable.