Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

Appearance:
Medium-sized heron
Long, slender, black bill with yellow patch at base
White plumage
Long, slender, black legs
Yellow feet

There is no mistaking this egret with its contrasting black legs and bright yellow feet. Even at a distance when size can't always be used as a guideline, those feet really stand out. 

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Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Appearance:
Large seabird
Dark brownish-black plumage
Long, pointed wings 
Long, deeply forked tail
Short neck
Long, hooked bill
Male:
   Red throat patch which inflates to attract mate
Female:
   White breast
Juvenile:
   White head and chest
   Light bluish-grey legs, feet and bill

Listen to its call.

The first time I saw these magnificent birds in Puerto Vallarta, I was fascinated. They have a wingspan of up to seven feet and a slender, deeply-forked tail. Whenever I was near the shore, they could be seen hovering overhead. As the name suggests, truly magnificent!

male (non-breeding)

female

juvenile

Learn more about the Magnificent Frigatebird. 

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus

Appearance:
Large flycatcher
Heavy, black bill
Black head with white eyebrow
White throat
Yellow underparts
Reddish-brown upperparts

Listen to its call.

There are three birds of similar appearance in Mexico: the Great Kiskadee, the Boat-billed Flycatcher and the Social Flycatcher. Although they all have the same color pattern, the first two are larger than the Social Flycatcher with much larger bills, particularly the Boat-billed. In addition, the Great Kiskadee has more rufous in its wings than the others, as can be seen in these photos.

Learn more about the Great Kiskadee.