Lesser Frigatebird

Christmas Island IMG_1550 20190216 - male in brreding plumage. CLICK for non-breeding on Horsburgh Island, Cocos
(Keeling) Islands 20190212.

Notes: Smaller, shorter bill, narrower wing base than Great Frigatebird. White axillary spurs:
on male these are isolated on black body; on female these extend onto white belly patch
which has a convex rear edge. Male has indistinct pale brown bar on inner upperwing.
Female has black hood w. narrow white collar, pink or grey bill, pink-red orbital ring.

Range from Morcombe & Stewart^©

Esplanade, Cairns North, FNE Qld IMG_1352 20231223 - female. CLICK for another view.

Esplanade, Cairns North, FNE Qld IMG_8203 20231216 - male

Cocos (Keeling) Islands IMG_5366 20140909 - female. CLICK for another view.

Horsburgh Isl, Cocos (Keeling) Isls IMG_0098 20190212 - male. CLICK for another view.

Foreshore, Cairns North FNE Qld IMG_1318 20231223 - female plucking a large fish from sea surface. She dropped it, as
did a male and a juvenile.

Christmas Island IMG_1533 20190216 - juvenile. CLICK for one Esplanade, Cairns North, FNE Qld 20231223

Christmas Island MVI_4715 20140831 - female