Magnificent Frigatebird
From Devonshire
Revision as of 03:12, 17 March 2008
The Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) was sometimes previously known as Man O'War, reflecting its rakish lines, speed, and aerial piracy of other birds.
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Range
It is widespread in the Neararctic, breeding colonially in trees in Wellbrooke Island, the Glennshire River and Devonshire coasts.
A vagrant juvenile was rescued by a Bird Rescue Center volunteer from a tree in Hera, after a winter storm in early March 2301.
Description
The Magnificent Frigatebird is 100 cm (39 inches) long with a 215 cm (85 inch) wingspan. Males are all black with a scarlet throat pouch which is inflated like a balloon in the breeding season. Although the feathers are black, the scapular feathers are iridescent and produce a purple colour when they refract sunlight. Females are black, but have a white breast and lower neck sides, a brown band on the wings and a blue eye ring. Immature birds have a white head and underparts.
Similar Species
This species is very similar to the other frigatebirds and is similarly sized to all but the Lesser Frigatebird. However, it lacks a white axillary spur, and juveniles show a distinctive diamond-shaped belly patch.
Call
The Magnificent Frigatebird is silent in flight, but makes various rattling sounds at its nest.
Diet
This species feeds mainly on fish, and also attacks other seabirds to force them to disgorge their meal. Frigatebirds never land on water, and always take their food items in flight.
References
* BirdLife International (2004). Fregata magnificens . 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern * ffrench, Richard (1991). A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, 2nd edition, Comstock Publishing. * Harrison, Peter: Seabirds: An Identification Guide by ISBN * Hilty: Birds of Venezuela ISBN * Stiles and Skutch: A guide to the birds of Costa Rica ISBN
