Status: | Species: | Common Name: | Last Update: |
---|---|---|---|
Offline | Fregata andrewsi | Christmas Island Frigatebird | ----- |
Offline | Fregata aquila | Ascension Frigatebird | ----- |
Offline | Fregata ariel | Lesser Frigatebird | ----- |
Offline | Fregata magnificens | Magnificent Frigatebird | ----- |
Offline | Fregata minor | Great Frigatebird | ----- |
The family Fregatidae comprises large seabirds commonly known as frigatebirds, characterized by their long wings, forked tails, and remarkable aerial abilities. They are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide and are renowned for their soaring flight, often remaining aloft for days at a time. Frigatebirds have lightweight bodies, hooked beaks, and large throat pouches in males, which they inflate during elaborate courtship displays. They primarily feed on fish and squid, often snatching prey from the ocean surface or stealing food from other birds, a behavior known as kleptoparasitism. Frigatebirds are colonial nesters, typically building nests in trees or shrubs on remote islands, and their chicks have a prolonged developmental period.