Booby/ Gannet sp. Sydney 3 July 2024 (1 Viewer)

[MKinHK]

I'd welcome any thoughts on this gannet/Booby I photographed without knowing it off Sydney last week. I was reviewing pix of Black-browed Albatrosses and was surprised to find this bird with dark carpal patches on the underwings, and all pale head and body and what looks suspiciously like pink feet.

Given the recent upsurge expertise in Booby ID in the UK I wonder if anyone has thoughts on anything this might be if its not a Red-footed Booby.

Cheers
Mike

 

[Butty]

It seems to be near a black-browed(-type) albatross and to be of similar size? 🤔

 

[MKinHK]

Indeed. However BB Albatross does not show dark spots on the carpal joint and always shows a dark leading edge to the underwing, which effectively rules that out as an ID. It does raise further questions about size however.

Cheers
Mike

 

[Southern Viking]

It does appear a similar size, but there is the caveat that especially in seawatching scenarios it can be difficult to judge depth, and it'd certainly be no easier in a photograph. If it can be shown on plumage to be a Red-footed Booby (I don't have the experience with them to say personally), then it must be closer. It does have the look of a Sula anyway, and it obviously isn't another Black-browed Albatross.

 

[njlarsen]

I believe there is not enough black on the primaries for a Red-footed Booby. Whether a local gannet sp or Masked Booby is more likely to look like this I am not sure about.
Niels

 

[THE_FERN]

Probably just me but I see 2 albatross and no sulid in the second picture. The lower bird there looks to me to have typical albatross tube nose

 

[Southern Viking]

Probably just me but I see 2 albatross and no sulid in the second picture. The lower bird there looks to me to have typical albatross tube nose

The sula (assuming that's what it is) is above and to the right of the top albatross in the 2nd (non-zoomed in) pic

 

[THE_FERN]

The sula (assuming that's what it is) is above and to the right of the top albatross in the 2nd (non-zoomed in) pic

Ah yes

 

[Dimitris]

Australasian Gannet first image and Shy-type Albatross for the second.