Fauna
Bird

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

The 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
Magnificent Frigatebird reference1 / 7
Andrew Turner from Washington, DC, United States / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlying 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
Classification
  1. OrderSuliformes
  2. FamilyFregatidae
  3. GenusFregata
  4. SpeciesFregata magnificens
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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