honks and whistles near nest.
Habits: A pelagic bird, sometimes found 1,000 km from nearest land. Only visits remote offshore islets to breed, however even these sites are not too remote for fishermen who collect eggs and young. Populations have been greatly reduced in Southeast Asia, but are still sizable in other regions such as the Pacific Ocean. Makes spectacular dives into the sea for large fish.
RED-FOOTED BOOBY
Sula sula 71 cm F: Sulidae
Description: Note diagnostic white tail. Also distinguished from previous species by smaller size, yellowish head and lack of mask.
Voice: Quiet during migration; honks and whistles near nest.
Habits: A pelagic bird that flies up to 150 km from breeding colony to forage on small flying fish and squid; never seen near the mainland. Mostly reduced in numbers in Southeast Asia, but over a million individuals are still found in the Pacific Ocean region, the Caribbean and off Australia.
BROWN BOOBY
Sula leucogaster 74 cm F: Sulidae
Description: Note diagnostic chocolate-brown upper parts and neck contrasting with white belly.
Voice: Quiet during migration; quacking calls near nest.
Habits: The most widespread member of its family in Southeast Asia, Occasionally seen near the mainland coast flying low, with characteristic shallow wing beats. Although no longer a resident in Thailand and other areas, still locally numerous on islands in the Malacca Strait, South China Sea and off the Philippines. A large colony is located on the Layang-Layang Islands, where this photograph was taken. Can be reached by direct flight from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
GREAT CORMORANT (Cormorant)
Phalacrocorax carbo 81 cm F: Phalacrocoracidae
Description: Large size is diagnostic, Note whitish cheeks and throat.
Voice: Generally silent, although it grunts and groans at breeding sites.
Habits: Like other cormorants, it swims low in the water, diving for fish; between dives it often sits near water's edge drying off. A strong flyer, this species is trained to assist fishermen in China.
LITTLE CORMORANT
Phalacrocorax niger 52 cm F: Phalacrocoracidae.
Description: Distinguished with some difficulty from the generally less common Indian Shag, P. fuscicollis (64 cm), by its smaller size and shorter bill.
Voice: Usually silent, although it grunts and groans at breeding sites.
Habits: Lives around ponds, swamps and flooded fields, often near the coast, extending into tidal mangroves. Locally abundant in prime habitat, such as the wetlands south of Bangkok; often seen flying between its feeding grounds and its breeding colonies, located in low trees surrounded by water. Also perches in the open to dry out plumage after diving for fish.
DARTER (Oriental Darter)
Anhinga melanogaster 91 cm F: Anhingidae
Description: Unmistakable. Mote the long, thin neck and pale streaks in plumage. A unique species; an American species is the only other member of this family.
Voice: Usually silent.
Habits: Found in inland swamps, overgrown reservoirs and rivers, often with wooded surroundings. Swims low in the water with only the head and neck above surface. Dives for fish as well as aquatic amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. Suns itself like a cormorant, see photo.
GREAT FRIGATEBIRD
Fregata minor 94 cm F: Fregatidae
Description: Photo shows mate; note complete lack of white in plumage. Female has white chest. Immature bird also has light brown head.
Voice: Silent; makes clappering noises when breeding.
Habits: A strictly pelagic bird, like all members of this small family. Only visits the shores of remote islets during breeding season, where it nests in colonies in low trees. Otherwise roams widely, surface dipping for fish and squid.
LESSER FRIGATEBIRD
Fregata ariel 76 cm F: Fregatidae
Description: Photo shows male. Distinguished from previous species by smaller size and white spots under wings. Female has white chest. Immature bird also light brown head.
Voice: Silent during migration.
Habits: This pelagic bird picks up fish and squid from surface waters far offshore and is rarely found near the coast. As well, some of this species, mostly females, chase terns and steal their fish, A very elegant flyer, this bird moves about singly or in small flocks, and is found at a few remote islets, sometimes in huge congregations.
GREAT-BILLED HERON
Ardea
