The Ascension frigatebird is a seabird of the frigatebird family Fregatidae which breeds on Boatswain Bird Island and Ascension Island in the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
Region
Tropical Atlantic Ocean
Typical Environment
This species is an oceanic seabird most often encountered over warm pelagic waters around Ascension Island, ranging widely across the tropical Atlantic outside the breeding season. It nests on rocky islets and sea cliffs with very sparse vegetation and open ledges. At sea, it forages over upwellings, convergence zones, and around schools of predatory fish that drive prey to the surface. It often follows fishing vessels to scavenge discards and will also forage in the vicinity of other seabird colonies.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Ascension frigatebird breeds almost exclusively on Boatswain Bird Island off Ascension Island in the tropical South Atlantic. Like other frigatebirds, males inflate a red throat pouch during courtship displays. They are superb aerial pirates, often harrying other seabirds to steal fish, and they rarely land on the water because their plumage is not waterproof. Following the eradication of feral cats on Ascension, the species has begun to recolonize parts of the main island.
Adult female
Juvenile
Chick
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Colonial nester on sea cliffs and small islets. Males display by drumming bills and inflating the red gular sac to attract females. Pairs typically raise a single chick, with prolonged parental care extending many months. Outside the breeding season, birds roam widely over the ocean and may gather loosely where food is abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet at sea, but at colonies emits rattling calls, bill-drumming, and grating croaks during displays. Females and juveniles give harsh squawks during interactions around the nest.
Plumage
Adult males are glossy black with a metallic sheen and an inflatable red gular sac; females are mostly dark above with a contrasting white breast and belly patch. Juveniles show a pale head and more extensive white underparts. All ages have extremely long, angular wings and a deeply forked tail.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fish (especially flying fish) and squid taken from the ocean surface. Often practices kleptoparasitism, chasing boobies, terns, and other seabirds to force them to drop or regurgitate prey. It rarely lands on the water, snatching prey in swift aerial passes. Will also scavenge fishery discards and forage around predatory fish that drive prey to the surface.
Preferred Environment
Open pelagic waters near currents, fronts, and areas of upwelling. Frequently forages around seabird aggregations and fishing vessels, and along coastlines near breeding colonies.
