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THE FRIGATE BIRD

A friend of mine recently traveled and is currently in the Gulf of Mexico. They say these birds are the most magnificent to witness . The two species of frigatebird are very similar to one another, the males being the most difficult to distinguish. The call is one of two ways to distinguish the males of the two species from each other. Great frigatebirds make a "gobbling" sound, not unlike a turkey, while magnificent frigatebirds make a rattling or drumming sound. A second, more subtle way to distinguish the nearly identical males is to look at the scapular feathers, long feathers that cover their shoulders. Although the feathers are black, they are iridescent and produce different colors when they refract sunlight. In magnificent frigatebirds the irridescence is purple while in great frigatebirds it is green. It is easier to distinguish the females and juveniles.

THE BIRD OF PARADISE

THE MANAKIN BIRD

THE LYRE BIRD