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Magnificent Frigatebird

Magnificent Frigatebird Identification Guide

Magnificent Frigatebird

Key facts

Scientific name: Fregata magnificens
UK status: Accidental (rare vagrant)
Global conservation status: Least Concern

Family: 

Length: 100 cm
Wingspan: 230 cm
Weight: 1.4 kg

Description

The magnificent frigatebird is a large seabird with dark brown or black plumage with an iridescent green sheen, long narrow wings, and a forked tail. Male magnificent frigatebirds have a large, bright red gular sac, which they inflate to attract a mate during breeding season.

Female magnificent frigatebirds have black plumage and a white breast and distinctive blue eye-rings.

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Diet

Magnificent frigatebirds eat mainly fish, as well as squid, jellyfish and crustaceans. They will peck at other seabirds forcing them to regurgitate their food which they will catch before it hits the surface of the water.

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Richard C. Hoyer/xeno-canto

Range and habitat

Magnificent frigatebirds are pelagic and they breed on rocky islands. They are found in tropical waters in the Pacific, and Atlantic and Caribbean Oceans.

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