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GALLERIES > BIRDS > PELECANIFORMES > FREGATIDAE > MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD [Fregata magnificens]    [plot on map]


Magnificent Frigatebird Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
GPS: 23.1N, -109.7W, elev=26' MAP
Date: February 1, 2013
ID : B13K2115 [4896 x 3264]

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Magnificent Frigatebird Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
GPS: 23.1N, -109.7W, elev=26' MAP
Date: February 1, 2013
ID : B13K2110 [4896 x 3264]

bird photography

Magnificent Frigatebird Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Dry Tortugas, FL
GPS: 24.6N, -82.9W, elev=1' MAP
Date: April 12, 2010
ID : 7C2V6235 [3888 x 2592]

Magnificent Frigatebird Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Dry Tortugas, FL
GPS: 24.6N, -82.9W, elev=1' MAP
Date: April 12, 2010
ID : 7C2V6237 [3888 x 2592]

bird photography

Magnificent Frigatebird Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Dry Tortugas, FL
GPS: 24.6N, -82.9W, elev=1' MAP
Date: April 12, 2010
ID : 7C2V6244 [3888 x 2592]

Magnificent Frigatebird Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
GPS: 18.3N, -64.9W, elev=7' MAP
Date: October 19, 2009
ID : 7C2V4174 [3888 x 2592]

nature photography

Magnificent Frigatebird Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Bolivar Flats, TX
GPS: 29.4N, -94.7W, elev=1' MAP
Date: August 28, 2009
ID : 7C2V2492 [3888 x 2592]

Magnificent Frigatebird Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Punta Suarez, Espa?ola Island, Gal?pagos
GPS: -1.4S, -89.7W, elev=11' MAP
Date: May 18, 2008
ID : 7C2V1219 [3888 x 2592]

nature photography

Magnificent Frigatebird Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Bolivar Flats, TX
GPS: 29.4N, -94.7W, elev=1' MAP
Date: August 31, 2009
ID : 7C2V3766 [3888 x 2592]

Magnificent Frigatebird (chasing Royal Tern)
 
 
Location: Bolivar Flats, TX
GPS: 29.4N, -94.7W, elev=1' MAP
Date: August 31, 2009
ID : 7C2V3762 [3888 x 2592]

nature photography

Magnificent Frigatebird Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: San Crist?bal Island, Gal?pagos
GPS: -0.8S, -89.5W, depth=-260' MAP
Date: May 17, 2008
ID : 7C2V0199 [3888 x 2592]

Magnificent Frigatebird Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: San Crist?bal Island, Gal?pagos
GPS: -0.8S, -89.5W, depth=-260' MAP
Date: May 17, 2008
ID : 7C2V0296 [3888 x 2592]

bird photography

Magnificent Frigatebird Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
GPS: 22.9N, -109.9W, elev=16' MAP
Date: September 2, 2007
ID : ? [3888 x 2592]

Magnificent Frigatebird Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Isla de Cozumel, Mexico
GPS: 20.4N, -86.9W, elev=18' MAP
Date: October 23, 2008
ID : 7C2V1447 [3888 x 2592]

nature photography

SPECIES INFO

The Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) was sometimes previously known as Man O'War, reflecting its rakish lines, speed, and aerial piracy of other birds.

It is widespread in the tropical Atlantic, breeding colonially in trees in Florida, the Caribbean and Cape Verde Islands. It also breeds along the Pacific coast of the Americas from Mexico to Ecuador including the Galapagos Islands.

It has occurred as a vagrant on the Isle of Man in 1998 and in Denmark and Spain. A male was found exhausted at Whitchurch, Shropshire, many miles from the sea, in November 2005. This individual was taken to Chester Zoo but died a few days later.

The Magnificent Frigatebird is 100 cm (39 inches) long with a 215 cm (85 inch) wingspan. Males are all black with a scarlet throat pouch which is inflated like a balloon in the breeding season. Although the feathers are black, the scapular feathers are iridescent and produce a purple colour when they refract sunlight. Females are black, but have a white breast and lower neck sides, a brown band on the wings and a blue eye ring. Immature birds have a white head and underparts.

This species is very similar to the other Frigatebirds and is similarly sized to all but the Lesser Frigatebird. However, it lacks a white axillary spur, and juveniles show a distinctive diamond-shaped belly patch.

The Magnificent Frigatebird is silent in flight, but makes various rattling sounds at its nest.

This species feeds mainly on fish, and also attacks other seabirds to force them to disgorge their meal. Frigatebirds never land on water, and always take their food items in flight.




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magnificent_frigatebird's Range Map Click here to see the Magnificent Frigatebird's range map!
Listen to the Magnificent Frigatebird Song:



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