The magnificent frigatebird, frigate petrel or man o' war is a seabird of the frigatebird family Fregatidae. With a length of 89–114 centimetres and wingspan of 2.17–2.44 m, it is the largest species of frigatebird. It occurs over tropical and subtropical waters off America, between northern Mexico and Peru on the Pacific coast and between Florida and southern Brazil along the Atlantic coast. There are also populations on the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific and the Cape Verde islands in the Atlantic. It is one of the fastest birds in the world, flying at speeds of up to 153 kilometres (95 mi) per hour.
Region
Tropical Atlantic and Eastern Pacific
Typical Environment
Occurs over tropical and subtropical seas of the Americas, from northern Mexico to Peru in the Pacific and from Florida and the Caribbean to southern Brazil in the Atlantic. Also breeds on the Galápagos and Cape Verde archipelagos. Highly pelagic outside the breeding season, it roosts and nests on remote islands, coastal cliffs, and mangroves. Prefers open ocean and coastal waters and avoids inland areas except near colonies. Colonies are typically on low, scrubby islands where trees or shrubs provide nest sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males have an inflatable scarlet throat pouch used in spectacular courtship displays. Magnificent frigatebirds are superb aerialists with exceptionally long wings and a deeply forked tail, often soaring for hours with barely a wingbeat. Their plumage is not waterproof, so they rarely land on the water and snatch prey from the surface or pirate it from other seabirds. They are among the fastest seabirds recorded, with peak speeds documented over open ocean.
Female fishing off Copacabana beach, Brazil
Female juvenile
Egg (MHNT)
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially on remote islands, building stick nests in low trees or shrubs. Males display by inflating the red gular pouch and drumming their bills to attract females. Usually lays a single egg; both parents care for the chick, with extended parental care lasting many months.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet at sea; around colonies males produce rattling bill displays, drumming sounds, and guttural calls. Females and juveniles give harsh squawks and chatter during interactions.
Plumage
Silky, mostly uniform dark plumage with a metallic sheen; females have contrasting white breast and belly. Juveniles show a white head and underparts with darker wings and back.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fish (often flying fish) and squid taken from the ocean surface. Often follows schools driven up by predatory fish or takes advantage of upwelling fronts. Frequently engages in kleptoparasitism, harassing boobies, terns, and pelicans to steal their catch. Occasionally takes scraps near fishing vessels and may snatch hatchling turtles near the surface.
Preferred Environment
Forages over open ocean and along coastal waters, especially near currents, fronts, and islands where prey concentrates. Typically feeds on the wing, snatching prey without landing.
