Barbuda - the Magnificent Frigate Bird sanctuary

Aurora_b
Mike and Liz Downing
Wed 18 Mar 2009 02:06
 
 
They nest throughout the mangroves at the northern end of the island and it's claimed to be the biggest Frigate bird sanctuary in the world (bigger than the Galapagos). We had to be taken by a local guide to see the colony which is about 4 miles from the anchorage. So it was just the 2 of us and George Jeffrey who took us at a vast rate of knots up to the colony and then punted his boat through it, getting very close to the birds as you can see. They didn't seem the least bit bothered!  
 
 
 
Chicks have white heads, adults have black. 
 
 
 
Some males still had their red display pouches (the breeding season is supposed to have finished).
 
 
They are magnificent flyers with the biggest wingspan in relation to their body weight than any other bird.
 
 
George Jeffrey taking us back to the anchorage.