Frigatebirds are large slender seabirds that have predominately black plumage, long deeply forked tails, and long hooked bills. Females are larger than the males and have white underparts. Males have distinctive red pouches which they inflate to attract females during breeding season. They are found across all tropical and subtropical islands and spend most of their time in the air hunting for food. They mainly eat fish and squid but will also steal food from other seabirds, a behaviour known as kleptoparasitism.
.
Frigatebirds nest on remote islands in colonies of up to 5,000 birds. They breed all year round and have the most elaborate courtship displays of any seabird. Both parents rear the chicks for up to 9 months which is among the longest duration of parental care for any species of bird. Juveniles take many years to reach sexual maturity and will only breed once they have acquired full adult plumage.
There are 5 species of frigatebirds worldwide, 2 of which are found in the UK.
Species marked with a are occasional visitors.
