Animalia Life
Fregata magnificens
TAXONOMY
Fregata magnificens Mathews, 1914, Barrington Island, Galбpagos.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Magnificent frigatebird; French: Frйgate superbe;
German: Prachtfregattvogel; Spanish: Rabihorcato Magnнfico.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
This is the largest frigatebird, with a body length of 41–44 in
(103–112 cm), a wing span of 91 in (230 cm), and weight of
3.1–3.3 lb (1.4–1.5 kg). The female has a white breast and head
and brownish upper-wing coverts, while the male has a mostly
black body, with some white on the chest and a prominent red
throat sac that is greatly inflated during sexual display.
DISTRIBUTION
Occurs in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans of the Americas. Breeds as far west as the Galбpagos
Islands.
HABITAT
Inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal waters, often near
mangrove forest.
BEHAVIOR
Outstanding fliers, they often soar to great heights. They are
silent at sea but may be noisy at the breeding colony, where
they make harsh, guttural notes during courtship.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feed on flying fish skillfully caught in the air, on other small
fish, and on squid and other marine animals snatched at the
sea’s surface. They also feed on fishery offal and discarded bycatch
and may predate the eggs and young of other seabirds. In
addition, they feed on meals that other seabirds are harassed
into disgorging in flight.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Females lay a single egg in a low nest, usually built in a mangrove
tree or shrub. The egg is incubated by both parents for
about 50 days. The chick is naked when born but fully feathered
at around 140 days. It is fed regurgitated food by both
parents. First flight occurs around 149–207 days after hatching.
Sexual maturity is at 5–7 years.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. Some local populations are declining because
of disturbance or destruction of nesting sites and declines of
food abundance caused by overfishing, but the species overall is
not considered at risk.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Not of much importance to people, except for the economic
benefits of ecotourism related to birdwatching.