Magnificent Frigatebird (1 Viewer)

[Jacamar]

I saw three Magnificent frigatebirds flying on the other side of the river today, but I couldn't tell if any of them were males. Should I be able to see the red on its throat from a distance? They were close enough for me to be able to see white on some of them.

 

[Dave B Smith]

Jacamar,
The red on the male is generally only visible when he is displaying. Not likely to see it while he is flying. The white on th ebreast would indicate female while a white head would be an immature.

Following are some ID points from the USGS web site:
Magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens

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Identification Tips:
Length: 35 inches Wingspan: 90 inches
Very large
Chases other birds to steal their prey
Effortlessly glides on long, pointed wings and long, forked tail
Long, hooked bill
Adult male
Entirely black plumage
Red, inflatable throat sac
Adult female
White breast
Remainder of plumage black
Immature
White head and breast
Remainder of plumage black

 

[cuckooroller]

Dave's indications are right on. If you can't see white it is an adult male, anything else will have you guessing between immatures (either male or female) or the adult female which luckily has a black head.

 

[Jacamar]

Thank you for this information. I saw them diving right down to the water. Were they catching fish off the surface or do they only steal from other birds?

 

[Jacamar]

Another question: I have seen some birds several times that were floating on the water. Could you tell me what kind of birds do that? I'm just looking for a general answer. Thanks!

 

[Dave B Smith]

Their preferred method is stealing from other birds. I have often seen them grab a Tern mid air and shake it trying to make it disgorge a fish. However, they will also catch their own.

 

[Dave B Smith]

Lots of possibilities here including Pelicans, Gulls, Cormorants, Ducks, Geese, etc.

 

[Rasmus Boegh]

Frigatebirds will not dive into the water to catch their food. Their feathers would become soaked, and they would sink (unlike most other birds). Therefore you never see Frigatebirds swim. They will catch fish and similar from the water-surface just by dipping their bill. I have also seen them catch flying-fishes by swooping down very fast! Of course they are notorious for stealing prey from other birds... Other food-items include hatchling marine turtles and garbage (!). Basically, they take every possibility they get, as long as it doesn't involve their plumage getting soaked in water.

Regarding your "floating birds"... well, just from that description there are (at least!) several hundred possibilities!

 

[Jacamar]

Wow! I didn't know there were so many floating birds! Do terns float on the water? If so, it was probably a tern.

 

[Rasmus Boegh]

Yes, terns swim ("float") aswell...