Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)

Special Segments Butterflies of North America Conifers of North America Eastern Birds List of N.A. Insects Home Eastern Wildflowers General Topics Natural History Ecology Family Environment Evolution Home Education Home Conservation Geophysics Paleontology Commercial Organizations

A Field Guide to Eastern Birds. by Roger Tory Peterson.

Return to Frigatebirds

Male

Female

Color Photograph: Copyright Marcus G. Martin

Immature

Color Photograph: Copyright Marcus G. Martin

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)

Identification: Length from tip of bill to tip of tail 38 to 40 inches.

Adult Male: A large bird, completely black, but with a red, inflatable throat pouch. Bill elongate, thin, with a hooked tip. Wings elongate, narrow, pointed. Tailed forked. Feet webbed.

Adult Female: Similar to the male, but with a white breast and without the red, inflatable neck pouch.

Immature: Similar to the adults, but head and breast white.

Similar Species:  The long, hooked beak and the forked tail easily identify this species. Frigatebirds might be mistaken for a cormorant. However the tail of the coromorant is short and stubby, not elongate and forked.

Breeding Range (see map below): The Magnificent Frigatebird breeds on islands in the tropical portions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In North America the breeding range is restricted to parts of southern Florida.

Overwintering Range:  Primarily found along the coasts of Florida, although the species has been seen as far north as North Carolina and as far west as Texas and California.

Habitat: Magnificent Frigatebirds live on tropical islands and shores, but are very comfortable over open ocean.

Food: Frigatebirds in general feed on fish they steal from other oceanic bird species. They are also capable of fishing themselves soaring close over the ocean surface and dipping fish from the water. Frigatebirds will also still steal chicks from other species of ocean island breeding sea birds.

Behavior:  The Magnificent Frigatebird is usually silent, but has guttural calls during the breeding season. Frigatebirds rarely, if ever, land except during the breeding season. The species is an extremely efficient glider.

Reproduction:  The clutch consists a single white egg. The nest is comprised of a weak accumulation of sticks usually built in the limbs of mangroves.