Bird Gallery Index

Magnificent Frigatebird
image © David McDonald.

Family: (Fregatidae) Frigatebirds

Preferred Habitat: Offshore.

Seasonal Occurrence: Common in summer. Uncommon spring and fall.

Notes: Magnificent Frigatebirds are usually spotted close to the coast, either soaring in the air or chasing other birds for their catch. Because of their swift, soaring flight and marauding behavior they were named after British warships. Nowadays they would be probably be called Pirates of the Caribbean! Males are all black with a red throat pouch, which is inflated in courtship displays. Females have white chests; immatures have white heads and chests.
- Susan Billetdeaux