Lesser Frigatebird, Whangapoua, Coromandel

[Davidthomas]

Bird is continuing this morning per Igor Debski.

[igor]

I watched the bird for about 1.5h. It alternated between hunting in the harbour channel (the w-f terns dropped their fish at the mere sight of it coming!) and hanging in the breeze above the forested headland. It spent a lot of time preening when hanging in the wind. I viewed the bird from the end of Matarangi Beach, which whilst being a bit more distant gives a great vista to track the bird's movements. As I headed off the bird moved off to patrol the inner harbour. Note I did spend about 4 hours looking last night with no luck, so it's obviously a bit hit or miss.

[Tim Barnard]

Present this morning from 10.20 - 11.20am - viewed intermittently from the jetty just before Whangapoua itself. Only thing I'd add to Igor's great advice is it may be helpful to target high-tide. It was ranging all over the inner harbour today - even way back to the mangroves. I missed the bird earlier this week so good to get it today. A twitchable Lesser Frigate is rare indeed - even more remarkable is you don't need to step on a boat to see it.
All the best
Tim

[Oscar Thomas]

No sign after spending a few hours around Whangapoua and Opito this evening, lovely spot though. Assuming its the same bird seen at Great Mercury recently.

[Caiden]

A family member reports the frigatebird was flying around Home Bay on Great Mercury Island for most of yesterday evening. Phone pics attached.

[Michael Szabo]

Reported present at Home Bay on Great Mercury Island again today by Caiden B.

[Steve Wood]

For those that haven’t got the “Oceanic Birds of the World” by Steve N.G.Howell & Kirk Zufelt
I have attached this image of the plates of lesser and Greater Frigatebird. According to this, there appears to be some overlap with the “White armpit spurs”. I had believed this to be a diagnostic feature for lesser but maybe not the case ? The shape of the white breast plate is also important apparently and all previous pics of the bird don’t show the shape clearly - (rounded or triangular).
Hope some better images of the bird are forthcoming.

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[gmckinlay]

Also, well worth referencing David James "Identification of Christmas Island, Great and Lesser Frigatebirds" BirdingASIA 1 (2004): 22–38.

[Steve Wood]

Hi Glenn,
Do you have a copy of that paper that you are happy to share?
I see It is 20 years old but still worth a read.

[Steve Wood]

Bird seen again today by JK presumed the same location no details supplied with TXT image.
Great to hear the bird is still there. After reading the detailed report David James "Identification of Christmas Island, Great and Lesser Frigatebirds" BirdingASIA 1 (2004): 22–38. The difference between Greater and lesser 2nd yr birds are complex and features overlap and for me the durry is still out.
looking forward to someone with experience with these two, explaining the distinct difference and correct id.

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