The magnificent frigatebird is a large, black seabird with long, angular wings and a forked tail. It is a master of soaring flight and famous for the male’s spectacular red throat pouch.
Interesting facts
- Frigatebirds have the largest wingspan relative to body weight of any bird.
- Their feathers are not waterproof, so they cannot land on water.
- They chase other seabirds to make them drop or regurgitate their catch.
- Sailors called them ‘man-of-war birds’ because of their piracy.
- Related frigatebirds have been tracked flying for weeks without landing, even sleeping in flight.
- Barbuda’s Codrington Lagoon has one of the largest colonies in the Caribbean.
Behaviour
Frigatebirds soar effortlessly over tropical seas, snatching food from the surface or stealing it from other birds. They roost and nest in colonies on islands and mangroves.
Breeding and young
Females lay a single egg in a flimsy nest. Chicks depend on their parents for over a year, one of the longest periods of parental care of any bird.
Threats and conservation
Disturbance of colonies, loss of mangroves, and fishing gear.
Where to see it
- North Seymour, Galápagos
- Codrington Lagoon, Barbuda
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
- Isla Isabel, Mexico
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
Christmas Island Red Crab Migration
