Adult male © Eric VanderWerf eBird S40314337 Macaulay Library ML 75178601
Female © Ian Davies
Immature © Sharif Uddin
Adult male © Jeremiah Trimble
Juvenile © Olivier Langrand
+ 4
Adult male © Margot Oorebeek
Female © Sam Wilson
Female © Lucas Bobay

Great Frigatebird Fregata minor

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

A large black seabird that holds its wings in a distinctive crook. The long, forked tail may appear pointed when folded. Males are all black with a red throat pouch. Females have a white breast. Immatures have a white head and breast. All-dark plumage of male and lack of a pale “armpit” in female and immature separate this species from Lesser and Christmas Island Frigatebirds. Separation from Magnificent Frigatebird can be difficult; note pale wing panel in males and indistinct pale throat in females (Magnificent females have a clean all-dark head). Nests in trees and bushes on tropical islands. Often seen flying along the shoreline, sometimes very high, and sometimes inland. Chases other seabirds to steal their prey.

POWERED BY MERLIN