At sea, Approaching the Brazilian Coast
Seabirds have been our constant companions on this voyage across the Atlantic. We started in the temperate waters near Lisbon with Northern Gannets and Mediterranean Shearwaters. Our first stop was the important nesting area of Madeira, including some very rare species such as Zino’s and Fea’s Petrels. Then on to the Canaries with Cory’s Shearwaters, followed by Cape Verde with Cape Verde Shearwaters and a mega rare sighting of a Trinidade Petrel. Next, we set off southwest towards the equator where birds were sparse but did include Bulwer’s Petrel and Manx Shearwater. Today, we approached the coast of Brazil, and added to our sightings three species very characteristic of this area, magnificent frigatebird, red-footed booby, and masked booby.
At sunrise this morning, a magnificent frigatebird perched on the top of the crow’s nest. Frigates are master fliers, with one of the largest wing areas per body weight of any bird. Perfect gliders, they ride the wind searching for food to pick off the surface, or other birds to harass. They do not, however, land on the water, so this sighting was a sure sign that South America was not far away. Frigate sightings were encouragement to Christopher Columbus to continue sailing west on his “discovery” of the new world. Also, Polynesians have always used them for navigating and finding new lands, as frigatebirds rarely travel further than one day’s flight from land. Towards sunset, one could usually follow multiple frigates back towards land if necessary. So, our visitor resting on the bow was a sure sign of our arrival to Brazil.
Our other birds, the red-footed and masked boobies, certainly put on a flying show of their own today. As we travel through the water, the ship scares flying fish into the air. The boobies follow along, and take advantage of the fish and us. But, the two species feed in a different manner. Masked boobies will typically wait until a flying fish is spotted under the surface of the water, and will plunge in after them like a missile. They then float back to surface to swallow the fish. On the other hand, red-footed boobies will usually pursue a flying fish that is gliding through the air, and will capture it in flight in its beak. They actively pursue the gliding fish, much like an old time dogfight amongst fighter planes. At times, the two different species were fishing simultaneously, and really amazed their audience by their flying skills.
Seabirds have been our constant companions on this voyage across the Atlantic. We started in the temperate waters near Lisbon with Northern Gannets and Mediterranean Shearwaters. Our first stop was the important nesting area of Madeira, including some very rare species such as Zino’s and Fea’s Petrels. Then on to the Canaries with Cory’s Shearwaters, followed by Cape Verde with Cape Verde Shearwaters and a mega rare sighting of a Trinidade Petrel. Next, we set off southwest towards the equator where birds were sparse but did include Bulwer’s Petrel and Manx Shearwater. Today, we approached the coast of Brazil, and added to our sightings three species very characteristic of this area, magnificent frigatebird, red-footed booby, and masked booby.
At sunrise this morning, a magnificent frigatebird perched on the top of the crow’s nest. Frigates are master fliers, with one of the largest wing areas per body weight of any bird. Perfect gliders, they ride the wind searching for food to pick off the surface, or other birds to harass. They do not, however, land on the water, so this sighting was a sure sign that South America was not far away. Frigate sightings were encouragement to Christopher Columbus to continue sailing west on his “discovery” of the new world. Also, Polynesians have always used them for navigating and finding new lands, as frigatebirds rarely travel further than one day’s flight from land. Towards sunset, one could usually follow multiple frigates back towards land if necessary. So, our visitor resting on the bow was a sure sign of our arrival to Brazil.
Our other birds, the red-footed and masked boobies, certainly put on a flying show of their own today. As we travel through the water, the ship scares flying fish into the air. The boobies follow along, and take advantage of the fish and us. But, the two species feed in a different manner. Masked boobies will typically wait until a flying fish is spotted under the surface of the water, and will plunge in after them like a missile. They then float back to surface to swallow the fish. On the other hand, red-footed boobies will usually pursue a flying fish that is gliding through the air, and will capture it in flight in its beak. They actively pursue the gliding fish, much like an old time dogfight amongst fighter planes. At times, the two different species were fishing simultaneously, and really amazed their audience by their flying skills.
