Barbuda frigates
VulcanSpirit
Richard & Alison Brunstrom
Fri 11 Feb 2011 20:42
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Barbuda has a huge shallow lagoon. It is home to
possibly the world's largest Magnificent Frigate Bird colony - there are 20
000 of them. These are birds with a 2m wingspan, most famous for the enormous
red chest pouch of the males. It's breeding season now, so the males are present
and displaying. The unattached males sit in a mangrove bush and display by
puffing up their chest pouch with air and creating a loud drumming noise by
resting their lower bill on the pouch and rapidly tapping their upper bill
on the lower, causing the swollen pouch to act as an amplifier. A bit like a
treefrog's vocal sac.
The whole lagoon is a National Park and can be
visited by boat with a guide. The birds are completely unafraid and allow
the boats to within a few metres. The sight and sound is
extraordinary.
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