Magnificent Frigatebird

Out of all the birds in the world, frigatebirds have the largest wingspan in comparison to their body.

Looks:

Frigatebirds are majestic creatures, with gleaming purple-black feathers, a deeply forked tail and a grey hooked beak. Males also have a red throat pouch that they puff up to attract females in the breeding season. Females lack this; instead they have a white patch on their chest, and a turquoise ring around their eye. Juveniles have a white head and belly.

Feeding:

A frigatebird’s diet consists of fish, squid, jellyfish and other marine animals. Lacking the waterproof oil other seabirds have, they are unable to land or take off from the water. Due to this, they are forced to snatch their food from the surface of the sea.They are also nicknamed ‘pirate birds’ due to their tendency to attack other birds and steal their food. 

Breeding:

The female makes a nest out of twigs brought to her by the male. Usually the nest is built in a clump of mangrove, though occasionally she may build it in a tree or on the ground. Afterward she lays a single white egg, which incubates for about 50 days before hatching.

The male departs once the hatchling is half-grown, leaving the female to bring up the chick alone. The male molts and breeds again with a different female, presumably never giving his previous mate a second thought.

Habitat:

These birds live in tropical locations, soaring across the sea to hunt and rarely touching land. When they do, they choose islands such as the Galapagos to breed on or rest.

Lifespan:

Frigatebirds can live for about 15 to 30 years.