Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican
[Pelecanus occidentalis]

This approx. 50 inch long member of Pelicaniformes is actually the smallest of all Pelicans. Even so, he is an impressive sight to see! I recognized him instantly when I saw him fly off some rocks and past our ship in port at St. Kitts.
Common along both coasts and down into the Carribean, I'm surprised I hadn't seen this conspicuous fellow before my trip to the West Indies. Brown Pelicans  can be found as far south as the mouth of the Amazon river... looks like I need to plan a trip to South America!
Pelicans are one of the easiest birds to identify. The long bill with pouch below are obvious and unmistakable. They are distinguished from other Pelicans by their brown or silvery-gray body and wings. They have an enormous wingspan of about 80 inches, so you'll be sure not to miss a flock of these guys in their steady, graceful single file flight.

Magnificent Frigatebird

Magnificent Frigatebird
[Fregata magnificens]


I was in awe when I first saw these giant seabirds circling high above me. Sinister and angular, they looked almost like Pterodactyls!
Common in the Carribean and Florida as well as along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Ecuador. Pictured left is a female, with distinctive white chest. Males are all black, and, during mating season have a bright red throat pouch that inflates. Also known as a Man O'War, Magnificent Frigatebirds are aerial pirates, often chasing down and attacking smaller seabirds in midair to steal their catch of fish!
These guys are enormous, 40 inches long with a 90 inch wingspan! Easily identified by their slow, ominous circling, angular wings, hooked but almost gull-like beak, and split tails.