Magnificent Frigatebird: Mega-Bird Finder for September 30, 2016
Magnificent FrigatebirdFregata magnificens
by Andy Griswold, EcoTravel Director
Very distinctive with its over seven foot wing span and deeply forked tail (nearly four feet from tip of nose to tip of tail), this agile flyer should be easy to spot.
Known to steal food from other birds while on the wing, any chasing behaviors should be scrutinized. They will also pick food from the surface of the water. There are other frigatebird species that should be considered but the Magnificent is the default, likely one, and is the only one discussed here.
Look for a large, dark bird with long pointed wings that have a pronounced bend in the middle. The long forked tail, short neck, and long, hooked beak are distinctive even at a distance.
The female has a white mid-breast. Juvenile birds are similar to adult females but with an entirely white that blends into the white breast. No white was noted in the Middletown report.
Magnificent Frigatebird is a flyer, spending nearly its whole day on the wing, and rarely is seen sitting on the water. So far out of its normal range, one cannot be sure how it may behave.
If you find this bird, let us all know as quickly as possible!
Populations of Magnificent Frigatebird appear to be declining and are estimated at 106,00-174,000 birds. It is listed as a Species of High Concern and is on the list for bird species that are at risk of becoming threatened or endangered without conservation action. Declines are mainly due to human destruction of habitat, introduced predators, and over-fishing by humans in bird foraging areas.
Photo by Dick Daniels, Carolinabirds.org.
