Frigatebird

There are five species in the order Fregatatidae, the frigatebirds. They are very closely related, and are all in the single genus Fregata.

All are large, black or black and white, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches.

Frigatebirds are found over tropical oceans.

These birds do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. They are essentially aerial, landing only to roost or breed on trees or cliffs. They lay one or two white eggs.

Their feeding habits are pelagic. Frigatebirds often rob other seabirds of their catch, using their speed and manoeuvrability to outrun their victims. However, they are perfectly capable of catching fish, baby turtles and similar prey, snatching them up from flight.

Details of distribution and identification are dealt with in the species' accounts.

This group is related to other Pelecaniformes as below:

Pelecaniformes

• Pelecanidae pelicans
• Sulidae gannets and boobies
• Phalacrocoracidae cormorants
• Fregatidae: frigatebirds
  • Magnificent Frigatebird or Man O'War, Fregata magnificens.
  • Ascension Frigatebird, F. aquila.
  • Christmas Island Frigatebird, F. andrewsi.
  • Great Frigatebird. F. minor.
  • Lesser Frigatebird. F. ariel.
• Anhingidae Anhinga and darters
• Phaethontidae tropicbirds