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FRIGATEBIRD PHOTOS

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There are two species of Frigatebirds in the Galapagos, the magnificant frigatebird and the great frigatebird. The Frigate birds have the largest wingspan-to bodyweight ratio of any bird, making them highly manuverable and acrobatic fliers. They are named after the ship used by pirates because they steal and plunder. They are notorious for stealing food from other birds at every opportunity. An unlucky booby may be plucked out of the air, dangled by the tail and haken until it regurgitates its food, which the frigatebird then makes off with.

When ready to breed, the male frigatebird first finds a suitable nesting area. Then slowly, over 20 minutes, he pumps air into his grossly exaggerated, bright red throat pouch until it is the size of a party balloon. As soon as an adult female flies by he loses control and erupts into fits of rapturous head shaking and vibrating, while uttering a shrill, high-pitched cry. Frigatebirds nest in colonies but defend their own nesting sites. They breed every 2 years. They feed their chicks for 1.5 years - the longest of any bird.

Frigatebird in flight Male Frigate Bird Nesting Frigatebirds
Frigatebird in Flight
Male Frigatebird
Nesting Frigatebirds
Female Frigatebird Frigatebird chick Male Frigatebird
Female Frigatebird
Frigatebird Chick
Male Frigatebird

 

 

 

 

 

 

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