North Seymour - Frigatebirds
Aurora_b
Mike and Liz Downing
Sat 24 Apr 2010 17:26
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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.
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