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Magnificent Frigatebird

Male magnificent frigatebirds are known to put on quite the display when calling to attract females by expanding their large, bright red throat pouch like a balloon! 

 

This large seabird is a common sight along tropical North and South American coastlines on both sides of the continents. It has long, narrow wings and a deeply forked tail, giving it the ability to maneuver exceptionally well in the air. With its impressive wingspan — reaching up to 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) — the frigatebird can fly almost effortlessly across open waters, gliding on air currents for extended periods without flapping. An aerial hunter, these birds will dip down to feed on fish snatched from the ocean’s surface. However, it has another way of getting food: stealing it! The magnificent frigatebird will often harass other seabirds midair until they release or disgorge their food, which the frigatebird then swoops down to steal mid-air.

 While these seabirds usually travel the ocean by themselves, they do come together nest in colonies in mangroves, other vegetation, or even just on the ground. Males are easily identified during the breeding season by their inflatable red gular pouch, which they inflate to huge sizes — so large their entire head can appear obscured — while displaying to try and attract a female. Once a female selects her mate, the pair will raise a single chick together, although the female’s parental care continues after the male has left.  

 

 

Human disturbance from coastal development and persecution from fishers has led to some local populations of magnificent frigatebirds to decline. However, these birds still maintain a large global population over their large range and are not considered to be endangered despite population decreases.

 

 

Protecting coastal nesting habitats and the ocean spaces they depend on for food is key to helping these master fliers of the sea. Oceana campaigns to protect oceans around the world, working towards the global goal of protecting 30% of ocean habitats by 2030. 

 

 

 

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