BREEDING MALE MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

   This Magnificent Frigatebird is in breeding plumage as can be seen from the large red gular sack on the bottom of its neck.  The male inflates this to attract the female.  You can also see the large forked tail.

ROSEATE SPOONBILLS, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

WILLETS, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

MORNING GLORY, BRIGGS BOARDWALK, ROOKERY BAY, NAPLES, FL

BREEDING MALE MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD IN FLIGHT, ROOKERY BAY, NAPLES, FL

   You can see the red pouch on the neck of Magnificent Frigatebird.  This tells us that this bird is a male in breeding plumage.

SOME BEAUTIFUL SPIDER WEBS, BRIGGS BOARDWALK, ROOKERY BAY, NAPLES, FL

EASTERN TOWHEE, BRIGGS BOARDWALK, ROOKERY BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE, NAPLES, FL

   We have identified this bird as a female Eastern Towhee as follows:

• Short, thick and pointed dark bill
• White eyes of the southeast variety of this Towhee
• Dark brown head, neck and back of the female (male is black)
• Rufous sides

   The Eastern Towhee is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 256.