Magnificent Frigatebird

(Fregata magnificens)

The Magnificent Frigatebird is a tropical pirate. It will attack other birds in the air and force them to disgorge their food, then swoop down and catch it before it hits the ocean!

These birds have the longest wings relative to body weight of any bird. (7 foot wings, and weighing only 3 pounds!) This makes them one of the world’s ultimate soaring birds. They spend both day and night on the wing, catch all their food in flight (from the surface of the ocean when not pirating other birds) and never land in the water.

Males have a large red throat pouch that can be inflated during courtship displays. What a cool bird!

Photo above taken on Caye Caulker, Belize.