FreeLists / va-richmond-general / [va-richmond-general] Re: Fwd: bird ID

["Naseem Reza" <nreza@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mike:

I believe you are right. Based on distribution and the Canada Goose mentioned 
by the photographer,  It is more likely to be a sub-adult Northern Gannet.

Naseem Reza
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike Wilson 
  To: va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Cc: robin.ruth@xxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 10:44 AM
  Subject: [va-richmond-general] Re: Fwd: bird ID


  I think it would be helpful for alot of non-seabirders if there were some 
explanations included in the responses to Robin's photo.  In my view, the photo 
that Robin posted is of a 2nd to 3rd year Northern Gannet.  I feel that it can 
be distinguished from the Masked Booby by lack of a mask (i.e, the mask of this 
species fills out underneath the bill), white upper-tail coverts, and yellowish 
nape.  There is a lot of white on the upperwing coverts that reminds me more of 
Gannet versus Masked.  The remaining neck collar appears to be remnants of a 
brown breast (gannet) versus a brown hood (masked).  I know these two species 
can be confusing, certainly to me, so If there are characters I am missing or 
mis-guided on I would like to learn more. 

  I think the photo can be distinguished from the Blue-footed booby by the 
whitish head, white feathers in the upper wing coverts.

  Northern Gannets are quite common on the Atlantic Coast.  


  Mike Wilson

  ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Naseem Reza 
    To: robin.ruth@xxxxxxxxxxx ; va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 9:16 AM
    Subject: [va-richmond-general] Re: Fwd: bird ID


    Robin:

    It appears to be a juvenile Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) which was 
previously called Blue-faced Booby. This bird breeds on Dry Tortugas, Florida 
and are considered rare in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Some folks refer 
to it as a tropical Gannet.

    Naseem Reza
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Ruth Robin 
      To: va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
      Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 4:55 PM
      Subject: [va-richmond-general] Fwd: bird ID


      Could someone help identify the bird in the attached photo?� I reduced 
the image size of the original so hopefully it will be OK for folks with 
dial-up. 
      Robin



      Begin forwarded message:


        From: "Gillian Young" <gyoung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
        Date: September 27, 2007 1:31:52 PM EDT
        To: <robin.ruth@xxxxxxxxxxx>
        Subject: bird ID


        Just wondered if you might identify this bird I saw on the beach at 
Nags Head last weekend. There were 2 within a mile of each other, and they 
didn't/couldn't fly. Body was the size of a Canada goose with short legs, but 
the head looks more like a heron.
        �
        If you don't reply until after 5 PM today, please reply to my home email
        gillianyoung@xxxxxxx
        �
        Thank you very much!
        �
        Gillian Young


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      Could someone help identify the bird in the attached photo?  I  
      reduced the image size of the original so hopefully it will be OK for  
      folks with dial-up.
      Robin

      Begin forwarded message:

      > From: "Gillian Young" <gyoung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
      > Date: September 27, 2007 1:31:52 PM EDT
      > To: <robin.ruth@xxxxxxxxxxx>
      > Subject: bird ID
      >
      > Just wondered if you might identify this bird I saw on the beach at  
      > Nags Head last weekend. There were 2 within a mile of each other,  
      > and they didn't/couldn't fly. Body was the size of a Canada goose  
      > with short legs, but the head looks more like a heron.
      >
      > If you don't reply until after 5 PM today, please reply to my home  
      > email
      > gillianyoung@xxxxxxx
      >
      > Thank you very much!
      >
      > Gillian Young