December 11, 2007
Frigates
Two species nest on Surprise Island, the Great and the (much scarcer) Lesser. Telling them apart in overhead flight is often possible from the shape of the white markings on their underparts, and structure. The bird in the bottom right of this photo is an adult male Lesser, with diagnostic white 'pit patches'.
Adult females also show the triangular patches on the axillaries. Note relatively small size alongside the Brown Booby.
A classic immature Great Frigatebird.
The birds are kleptoparasites, preying on boobies returning to the island in the last hour of daylight and forcing them to regurgitate.
We did, however, see several individuals flying low over the water and swiftly dipping their bills below the surface - I guess going for small fry?
I have no wisdom on how to identify perched birds. Note how the red throat patch inflated during courtship is visible on this adult male.
Redheads.
I didn't see many birds in this plumage, but suppose that the red head changing to white is the last transitional plumage before adulthood?
