Sea Bird ?

by sandy
(st. marys, ontario, canada)

Took picture of this bird over the Atlantic Ocean as we were on vacation in Little River, and were returning to the Intercoastal waterway on one of the Casino cruises.

I have cropped the picture & zoomed it in, and it is a pretty clear shot.

However, I have been unable to identify this bird using my bird book - "Birds of North America" - a complete photographic guide to every species.

Maybe one of your readers will be able to identify it for me, especially if they are from your area.

It is the mottled colouring of the top of the bird in flight that I cannot find a picture of, and the long, thick, dark bill, brownish coloured head, white neck area, & then the brownish mottled wings. The tail also goes to a point at the back, instead of squared off, similar to a heron in flight, with the legs/feet out behind.