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    Magnificent frigatebird

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    Cannot land on water because their feathers are not waterproof

    barloventomagico








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    Magnificent frigatebird

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

    Cannot land on water because their feathers are not waterproof

    Population 130,000

    Found across tropical and subtropical oceans, this bird spends most of its life soaring high above the sea. It has a slim body, long, narrow wings, and a deeply forked tail that helps it steer effortlessly through the air. Despite its large wingspan, the frigatebird is surprisingly lightweight, which allows it to glide for hours with barely a wingbeat. Its plumage is mostly black, giving it a sleek and powerful look against the sky.

    One of the most distinctive features of the magnificent frigatebird is the striking difference between males and females. Adult males are famous for their bright red throat pouch, which they inflate like a balloon during breeding season. This vivid red pouch contrasts sharply with their black feathers and is used to attract females through visual display and sound. Females, on the other hand, are larger and lack the red pouch. They can be identified by a white patch on the chest and a pale ring around the eye.

    What truly sets the magnificent frigatebird apart from other seabirds is its unique way of feeding. Unlike birds that dive into the water to catch fish, frigatebirds cannot land on the ocean surface because their feathers are not waterproof. Instead, they snatch fish and squid from the surface while flying. They are also famous for a behavior called piracy, in which they chase other seabirds until the birds drop their catch, which the frigatebird then steals midair.

    The magnificent frigatebird is also remarkable for its flying ability. It has the largest wingspan relative to body weight of any bird, allowing it to soar on air currents with incredible efficiency. These birds can remain in the air for days at a time, even sleeping while gliding. They use rising warm air over the ocean to stay aloft, traveling vast distances without tiring.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Anguilla
    2020
    Antigua & Barbuda
    2020
    Argentina
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Aruba
    2020
    Bahamas
    2020
    Barbados
    2020
    Belize
    2020
    Bermuda
    2020
    Breeding
    Bonaire Sint Eustatius And Saba
    2020
    Brazil
    2020
    British Virgin Is.
    2020
    Canada
    2020
    Origin Uncertain
    Cape Verde
    2020
    Cayman Islands
    2020
    Chile
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Colombia
    2020
    Costa Rica
    2020
    Cuba
    2020
    Curaçao
    2020
    Denmark
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Dominica
    2020
    Dominican Republic
    2020
    Ecuador
    2020
    Breeding: Galápagos
    El Salvador
    2020
    France
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    French Guiana
    2020
    Gambia
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Grenada
    2020
    Guadeloupe
    2020
    Guatemala
    2020
    Guyana
    2020
    Haiti
    2020
    Honduras
    2020
    Jamaica
    2020
    Breeding
    Martinique
    2020
    Mauritania
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Mexico
    2020
    Montserrat
    2020
    Nicaragua
    2020
    Panama
    2020
    Peru
    2020
    Portugal
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Puerto Rico
    2020
    Breeding
    Saint Barthélemy
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Saint Lucia
    2020
    Saint Martin
    2020
    French Part
    Saint Vincent
    2020
    Senegal
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Sint Maarten
    2020
    Dutch Part
    Spain
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    St. Kitts & Nevis
    2020
    Suriname
    2020
    Trinidad & Tobago
    2020
    Turks & Caicos
    2020
    Breeding
    US Minor Is.
    2020
    US Virgin Islands
    2020
    United States
    2020
    Breeding
    Uruguay
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Venezuela
    2020

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    Get to know me

    Terrestrial / Aquatic

    Altricial / Precocial

    Polygamous / Monogamous

    Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

    Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

    Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock

    Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

    Migratory: Yes / No

    Domesticated: Yes / No

    Dangerous: Yes / No

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Least Concern(IUCN)
    World Population 130,000
    Honorary Patron: BioDB
    Become a Patron

    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Fregata magnificens Other names:

    Frigate petrel
    Man o’ war Number of subspecies: 2 Name of subspecies:

    F. m. magnificens
    F. m. rothschildi

    Physical traits

    Length: 89 – 114 cm (3 – 4 ft) Weight: 1 – 2 kg (2 – 4 pounds) Lifespan: 30 years Speed: 153 km/h (95 mph) Wingspan: 2 – 2.4 m (7 – 8 ft) Incubation: 50 – 60 days Eggs: One egg
    Habitats: Coastal Marine Forest
    Regions: Africa Europe North America Oceania South America
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