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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CXLII
Field-journal plate: Magnificent Frigatebird
The Magnificent Frigatebird plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CXLII

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Fregatidae · Taxon 4631

Length89–114 cm (35–45 in)
Wingspan217–224 cm (85–88 in)
Weight1.0–1.9 kg (35–67 oz)

Field marks

  1. Very large, lightly built seabird with extremely long, narrow, angular wings.
  2. Long, deeply forked tail, often held closed so it appears pointed.
  3. Long silvery-gray bill with a strongly hooked tip; dark eye, with a blue-gray eye-ring most evident on adult females.
  4. Adult male glossy black with a conspicuous scarlet inflatable throat sac during display.
  5. Adult female black with a clean white breast; juveniles show a white head and underparts.
  6. Legs and feet are unusually short and small—dark gray-black in males and flesh-pink in females.

HabitatTropical and subtropical marine waters, from shallow coastal lagoons to the open ocean. Nests and roosts colonially in mangroves, low trees, and shrubs on islands.

BehaviorAn expert soarer that spends long periods aloft with few wingbeats, steering with its forked tail. It snatches fish and squid from the water’s surface and also pursues other seabirds to steal dropped or regurgitated prey. Breeding is colonial; males display by inflating the red throat sac.

Palette

blackwhitescarlet redsilvery graypale pink