Bird · GBIF taxon 2480189
Magnificent Frigatebird
Fregata magnificensThe Magnificent Frigatebird is an immense tropical seabird with exceptionally long angular wings and a deeply forked tail. It soars for hours with few wingbeats, snatches food near the surface, and sometimes pursues other seabirds until they drop a meal.
Tropical SeabirdAerial SoarerForked Tail
Licensed referenceAndrew Turner from Washington, DC, United States / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flying fish
- Squid
- Small marine animals
Predators
- Sharks
- Large gulls
- Introduced mammals
ThreatsDisturbance at colonies, entanglement, marine debris, fisheries interactions, and severe storms
HabitatsTropical and subtropical ocean, coastal islands, bays, mangroves, and nesting colonies
Life spanLong-lived; adults may survive 25 years or more
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderSuliformes
- FamilyFregatidae
- GenusFregata
- SpeciesFregata magnificens
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Keep far from nesting trees and coastal colonies, especially during courtship.
Responsible observation
- Look: Scan high overhead for angular wings and a deeply forked tail.
- Identify: Adult males are black and can inflate a red throat pouch.
- Distance: Observe colonies only from established remote viewpoints.
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