ML129527621

Age

Not specified

Sex

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Observation details

****MEGA**** Continuing in the vicinity of the Antares and the Denebola. Sighted by Nico Sarbanes on 9/5/15; reported by Deborah Rowan (Baltimore Water Taxi) 9/16. Clear and calm to start, breeze picked up slightly as it got lighter. 10x bins; 20-60x scope; from about .5 mi. The two birds were sitting on the middle rope between the two ships, facing Boston St, when I arrived at 0630. After the breeze picked up a bit, they took to the air at 0710 and put on quite an aerial show, including several plunge dives by the adult, before returning to the rope at 0745. Adult: Head and neck a deep rich brown which continued down to mid-breast; sharply demarcated to white which continued down and included under tail coverts. Upper parts were completely dark brown, but slightly duller than the head. Underwing coverts were white, contrasting with the dark flight feathers. Bill was large and pale yellowish-white; lower mandible extended further back than the eye giving that odd triangular look of sulid bills. Feet and legs were pale; color looked similar to bill; feet did not extend to the end of the tail in flight. Long, pointed wings. Wedge-shaped tail. Immature: Pattern similar to adult but not as clean and clearcut. Upper parts lighter brown. Head and neck paler brown. Belly dirty white. Bill was also duller, but still very pale and distinct. I couldn't tell any difference in the leg/feet color at that distance. General: DCCOs sitting with scrunched necks were taller than the BRBOs; with extended necks, much taller. BRBOs sat more horizontally than the DCCOs; you could see daylight between their legs, not so with the cormorants. Sturdier looking than the cormorants. In flight flapping more deliberate than cormorants. When gliding, the wings were bowed. Awesome state bird!

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