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Frigatebird ID

To:
Subject: Frigatebird ID
From: "Niven" <>
Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2001 11:05:13 +0930
G'day everyone

I've been going over the points of separation between the 
Frigatebirds we get (or are likely to get) and am a bit puzzled about 
one thing. I'd assumed that Least showed the white bar on the 
underwing in all plumages (I hadn't noticed any lacking this in my 
observations, and the field guides show this) yet there is a photo in 
the National Photographic Index (Seabirds, p.471) showing neat 
plumage but no white 'armpit bar'. This bird also lacks a dark 
throat, which I'd expect to be present in a Lesser Frigatebird at the 
age this one looks. Is this a misidentified/mislabeled bird in the 
photo (ie, is it Great Frigatebird) or are these two species harder to 
tell apart than I thought?
Harrison's photographic guide shows a few photos of 
immature/juvenile Lesser Frigatebirds all with the white line on the 
underwing, and attaining the dark throat prior to adulthood.
Any comments/suggestions?

They're not that easy, Frigate (birds)
Niven

Refs:
Lindsey, T.R., 1986, The Seabirds of Australia, Angus & Robertson
Harrison, P, 1987, Seabirds of the World - A Photographic Guide, 
Croom Helm.
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