Frigatebirds (Fregatidae)

 

The Fregatidae are found across all tropical and subtropical oceans. The family contains only a single genus, Fregata, and five extant species. Three of the five species are widespread, while the other two are restricted to one small island each during breeding season.

Frigatebirds have predominantly black plumage, long and pointed wings, deeply forked tails, and long hooked bills. Males have a distinctive red gular pouch, which they inflate during the breeding season. Frigatebirds spend most of the day on the wing, hunting for fish and squid near the surface, and roost on trees or cliffs at night. They frequently rob other seabirds of food, and occasionally consume chicks of other seabirds. All frigatebirds are colonial nesters. A loosely-built stick nest is placed in low trees, bushes or on the ground. All species lay only one egg. Incubation lasts 2 months, and the young spend 5-6 months in the nest before fledging. Because the nesting period is exceptionally long frigatebirds breed only every other year.

 

		species
Unauthorized use of our images is NOT permitted.
Hotlinking or "pinning" of our images to websites is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Copyright © Michael Patrikeev - All Rights Reserved