Great Frigatebird

The Great Frigatebird, Fregata minor, is a magnificent seabird, easily recognized by its large size, reaching up to 105 cm in length, and its expansive wingspan of 205–230 cm. The plumage is predominantly black, with the male displaying a purple-green sheen on the scapular feathers and the female boasting a white throat and breast.

Identification Tips

Sexual dimorphism is pronounced in this species. The male is slightly smaller than the female and is notable for his striking red gular sac, which he can inflate during the breeding season. Females have a red eye ring, distinguishing them from their male counterparts.

Habitat

The Great Frigatebird is a pelagic bird, meaning it spends most of its life at sea, only coming ashore to breed. It is found soaring above tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.

Distribution

This species has a broad range across the world's tropical seas, with major nesting populations in the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii and the Galápagos Islands, and in the Indian Ocean, with colonies in the Seychelles and Mauritius. A small population exists in the South Atlantic.

Behaviour

The Great Frigatebird is known for its exceptional flying abilities, utilizing marine thermals to stay aloft. It is a non-breeding visitor to some regions, exhibiting philopatry by returning to its natal colony for breeding.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Great Frigatebird are most commonly heard during the breeding season, when males display and vocalize to attract mates.

Breeding

Breeding takes place in large colonies, where males inflate their red gular sacs and perform elaborate displays to attract females. The species is seasonally monogamous and nests in trees, bushes, or on the ground. A single egg is laid, and both parents share incubation duties.

Similar Species

The Great Frigatebird can be confused with other frigatebird species, but its size and the males' distinctive gular sac during the breeding season are key differentiating features.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of fish, which the birds snatch from the ocean's surface or capture in flight. They are also known to engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing food from other seabirds.

Conservation Status

The Great Frigatebird is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, due to its large population and extensive range. However, certain subspecies, such as those in the South Atlantic, face more significant threats and are considered critically endangered in some regions.