The Iwa

The Iwa or Great Frigate Bird.


Traditionally seen as a bad omen by ancient seafarers.


An Iwa chick.


This fascinating sequence was captured by Seagull Steve whose blog "Bourbon Bastards and Birds" can be accessed via the link on the right hand side of your screen.


It illustrates how the Great Frigate Bird got its Hawaiian name. Iwa means thief. Great Frigate birds are commonly seen chasing birds like the Red-Tailed Tropic Bird (pictured here), or the various Booby species in an effort to get them to throw up their last catch, which the GRFRs will promptly steal.


This C-130 was stranded on Midway recently.

The reason was a collision with an Iwa that resulted in a basket ball sized hole that can be see to the left of the propeller just above the feul tank.

This Red-Footed Booby doesn't know Iwa means thief.