Lesser/Great Frigatebird (1 Viewer)

Why is Fregata ariel called the Lesser Frigatebird and Fregata minor the Great Frigatebird?

F.ariel is much bigger then F.minor. And minor means small, agree?

Kind regards Theo

Hi Theo,

Fregata minor was described as Pelecanus minor so when it was transfered to Fregata it kept its species name minor.

Fred

I agree, this explains the scientific name. But what about the vernacular names? It's a bit weird to call the smaller bird Great Frigatebird and the larger bird Lesser Frigatebird.

This is true about everywhere I look. Even Dutch, Italian and Swedish names seem to be wrong, to name a few.

Theo

8669 said:

I agree, this explains the scientific name. But what about the vernacular names? It's a bit weird to call the smaller bird Great Frigatebird and the larger bird Lesser Frigatebird.

This is true about everywhere I look. Even Dutch, Italian and Swedish names seem to be wrong, to name a few.

Theo

Click to expand...

Theo,
the truth is that the vernacular names are correct and the scientific names are not correct when taken as descritive - however, they are correct in the sense of history and keeping an original name intact.

Niels

8669 said:

Why is Fregata ariel called the Lesser Frigatebird and Fregata minor the Great Frigatebird?

F.ariel is much bigger then F.minor. And minor means small, agree?

Kind regards Theo

Click to expand...

Theo, "much bigger" ... in what way?

Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel G. R. GRAY 1845 = 66-81 cm; male 625-875 g, female 760-955 g; wingspan 155-193 cm.

Great Frigatebird Fregata minor GMELIN 1789 = 82-105 cm; male 1000-1450 g, female 1215-1640 g; wingspan 180-230 cm.

Measurements from HBW Alive. I don't get it; why the hang-up?

Björn

PS. It would be a more relevant question versus the largest species; Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens MATHEWS 1914 (as "Fregata minor magnificens") = 89-114 cm; c. 1100-1587 g; wingspan 217-244 cm.

This said with hesitation in calling even the latter species "much bigger"
---