From Opus

Fregata magnificens

Female (above) and Male in mating display. Photo: Ian Jeanneret.
Location: Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador.

Immature. Photo: Nomdeploom<
Location: Acapulco, Mexico.

Male in flight. Photo: Nomdeploom<
Location: Acapulco, Mexico.

Identification

Length 100 cm

Male

• All black
• Scarlet throat pouch that can be inflated during mating displays.

Female

• Black head and back
• White breast and lower neck
• Brown band on wings
• Blue eye ring

Immature

White head and underparts, rest of bird black.

Distribution

United States, western Mexico, the Caribbean and Cape Verde Islands.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Pelagic species; at sea, and commonly along coastlines. Is not bothered by human settlement, and may benefit from human activities such as fishing.

Behaviour

Diet includes fish, which are taken in flight. Will attack other seabirds to steal their catches or try to force them to disgorge their meals.

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