Bird Guide

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Least ConcernFishMarinePlatform nestLarge · 1.5 kg

About the Magnificent Frigatebird

The magnificent frigatebird, frigate petrel or man o' war is a seabird of the frigatebird family Fregatidae. With a length of 89–114 centimetres and wingspan of 2.17–2.44 m, it is the largest species of frigatebird. It occurs over tropical and subtropical waters off America, between northern Mexico and Peru on the Pacific coast and between Florida and southern Brazil along the Atlantic coast. There are also populations on the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific and the Cape Verde islands in the Atlantic. It is one of the fastest birds in the world, flying at speeds of up to 153 kilometres (95 mi) per hour.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The magnificent frigatebird is the largest species of frigatebird. It measures 89–114 cm (2 ft 11 in – 3 ft 9 in) in length, has a wingspan of 2.17–2.44 m (7 ft 1 in – 8 ft 0 in) and weighs 1.1–1.59 kilograms (2 lb 7 oz – 3 lb 8 oz). Males are all-black with a scarlet throat pouch that is inflated like a balloon in the breeding season. Although the feathers are black, the scapular feathers produce a purple iridescence when they reflect sunlight, in contrast to the male great frigatebird's green sheen.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Magnificent Frigatebird lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, Portugal, France.

When to see the Magnificent Frigatebird

Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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