Posted by MG Miller on November 28, 2003 at 18:20:49:
As to my question, I'm from out of town so I'm less familiar with the ocean-going birds. Early afternoon on Thanksgiving off Spanish River beach, I saw several large birds diving merrily into the ocean that I'd not seen before in several years of visiting. I could never see the feet but from the head shape & behavior it looked like a booby/northern gannett but it was all dark on top with lighter pattern underneath but by no means was it pure white. Looking at my birdbook, I was thinking immature brown booby or brown morph red-footed but I don't know enough about either to be sure. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.