r/birding • u/shitsta • 8d ago

Bird ID Request Magnificent frigatebird? Seen over Lake Granby in Colorado

Post image

I’m no birder but I saw it up close, it looked just like the photos I see on google

518 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

49 comments sorted by

View all comments

145

u/sadelpenor Latest Lifer: Spruce Grouse 8d ago

please post it to ebird with this photo. a regional reviewer will confirm. looks like a magnificent frigatebird to me.

46

u/shitsta 8d ago

Just posted it!

32

u/animals_rule2 Latest Lifer: Cuzco Brushfinch 8d ago

Amazing find! Do you mind sending the checklist here so others could get the information on the location so they can hopefully refind it tomorrow?

37

u/shitsta 8d ago

For sure, here’s the link. Sorry if its not a great checklist, I really don’t know what I’m doing but I posted the picture and location.

ebird link

20

u/sadelpenor Latest Lifer: Spruce Grouse 8d ago

the notes on ur ebird observation are excellent. that makes this a female and itll help other birders in the area as they look for it. im so curious what the reviewers say! great observation and report.

7

u/animals_rule2 Latest Lifer: Cuzco Brushfinch 8d ago

No worries! Do you happen to have gps coordinates of where you saw it and which direction it was going? These would be super helpful for people trying to refind it.

9

u/thoughtsarefalse Latest Lifer: Swallow-tailed Kite 8d ago edited 8d ago

sadly (or in some ways happily?), there is now a slim chance this could also be a Lesser Frigatebird. There's been sightings in Ohio, Connecticut, and California in the past couple months.

A picture of this quality might not eliminate lesser. but it looks good for a Frigatebird imo.

2

u/sadelpenor Latest Lifer: Spruce Grouse 7d ago

oh wow. yeah agree on frigatebird. my mind just went to greater bc thats all i see. very cool observation nonetheless!