Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)

Ranging along coasts and islands in tropical and subtropical waters, Magnificent Frigatebirds soar through the air, rarely flapping their wings. To eat, they chase other birds to catch food they are forced to drop, rather than diving into deep waters for fish. Unable to land on the water, they grab tuna, herring, and squid, and other items, including discarded fish from fishing boats, from the surface of the water. Their long, hooked beaks help them catch food.

Much less graceful on land, Frigatebirds perch in low shrubs and trees. While they have strong toes, it’s nearly impossible for them to walk on land due to their small feet and short legs.  Their flights wander over the water, often staying aloft for up to two months without landing. They can’t land on water as they can’t swim and would become waterlogged and drown.

Colony nesters, the female builds a nest within a short distance of another nest so that they are packed into small areas. The nest is built on a display perch used by the male of her choice. The female lays one egg and incubation is up to two months. Mates stay together for about 3 months, then the male leaves the female to care for the chick for a year.

Magnificent Frigatebird nestling.

One of the most magnificent things to see is the male fluttering his red balloon-like throat sac (gular pouch) to cool off.  This sac can take up to 20 minutes to inflate. Males and females also regulate their body temperature by holding their wings up to sun. Overall, these birds are black with unmistakably long, forked tails.  An adult female has a white chest and golden shoulder bars, while juveniles have white heads and chests. They are usually silent at sea but give a grating call when coming in for a landing and a guttural drumming sound during courtship.

Magnificent Frigatebird in flight.

With a wingspan of up to 8 feet, and weighing up to 3.5 pounds, these are the largest frigatebirds in the world and are easily identifiable soaring over the water. It is figured that they can live up to 30 years! While these birds can be seen off the coast of Rockport and much of the Texas coast, you can see one close up at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi. Injured during Hurricane Harvey, Storm was rehabilitated but can not fly. Storm is possibly the rarest specimen the Aquarium has ever exhibited.

Compiled by Jeanette Larson.

Sources: All About Birds, Audubon.org, Texas State Aquarium. All photos courtesy of Audubon.org