The Lesser Frigatebird breeds on small, remote tropical and sub-tropical islands, in mangroves or bushes, and even on bare ground. It feeds mainly on fish (especially flying-fish) and squid, but also on seabird eggs and chicks, carrion and fish scraps (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Kleptoparasitic behaviour is observed in this species; however it is unlikely to be a major chick-provisioning resource (Congdon and Preker 2004).

Major breeding populations of the Lesser Frigatebird are found in tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Ocean (excluding the east Pacific), as well as one population in the South Atlantic (Trinidade and Martim Vaz, Brazil). Outside the breeding season it is sedentary, with immature and non-breeding individuals dispering throughout tropical seas, especially of the Indian and Pacific Oceans (del Hoyo et al. 1992).