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This large black bird was seen at the bolsa chica wetlands. flying over the bridge, I saw it and took a quick photo before it was gone.
Photographed at the wetlands next to Newport Beach.
Joshua and I have been trying to identify it, we have come to the conclusion that it is a Great Frigatebird. and really the only thing says it isn't, is the head to body ratio, head seems a bit too long/slender, Since it was almost right above me, I can not really tell if it has a hooked bill at the tip. I am open to anyone thoughts on this bird. Please help ID.
Spotted on Apr 9, 2016
Submitted on Apr 12, 2016
9 Comments
possible magnificent frigatebird but the only sighting I see listed was between August and September last year.
I think the tail looks to short for a Magnificent Frigatebird.
My friend the ornithologist identifies it as an Elegant Tern.
I have a friend who studied out in the BC wetlands (he's an ornithologist). I'll send it along to see if he can confirm. :)
Nope. I didn't but when flying most of the time, they don't show it at all. Joshua asked someone else and they said it looked like a Elegant tern, Joshua says he thinks this is actually white. It looked black to be... but It was probably the overcast.
I think it looks more like Magnificent Frigatebird than Great Frigatebird, just a little further north than normal but due to the el nino effect.My book suggests they do get further north on occasions. The Greater would have more white under the throat if a female. I see no evidence of the males red pouch, did you see one.
It also can not be an albatross because the tail is pointed and longer than a B-FA's tail would be
looks too small to be an albatross, and like you said, I doubt that they would ever come to land. Here is a brown booby and a Great frigatebird... ... ...
https://www.google.com/search?q=brown+bo...
https://www.google.com/search?q=great+fr...
The long outer wings suggest Frigatebird, Booby would be shorter. What about Black-footed Albatross, do they ever come over land, my book suggests they stay about a mile offshore?