North Seymour - Frigatebirds

Aurora_b
Mike and Liz Downing
Sat 24 Apr 2010 17:26
Like pelicans, frigatebirds have been around all the time we've been in the tropics and we also tend to take them for granted, but they are beautiful birds to watch as they glide on the thermals. One of the main breeding colonies is on North Seymour so there is a chance you can see the males with their red throat pouch inflated. We have only seen that once before, in the breeding colony in Barbuda (near Antigua). The trail on North Seymour winds its way through the breeding area and the birds take no notice as you walk past. There are 2 species - the Magnificent Frigatebird and the Great Frigatebird. They are very similar, but the Great Frigatebird has a green sheen to its back feathers. 
 
A juvenile (white head and chest).
 
 
 
A juvenile nodding off in the heat and just about staying on the branch!
 
A female panting in the heat of the day to try and keep cool. North Seymour is very arid with little vegetation
to give any shelter from the sun,
 
A juvenile doing the same thing.
 
The males sit with pouch inflated to attract a female. So the females
fly around and choose the male they like the look of most. This one is
still waiting to be chosen ........
 
.......... while this one appears to have been successful and ............
 
 
......... this will be the result!
 
A male Great Frigatebird.